(Vienna 1861–1945)
“Die große Pappel” (The tall poplar), 1928, monogrammed CM, oil on canvas, 60 x 60 cm, framed

Listed and illustrated:
Cornelia Cabuk, Carl Moll, Belvedere Werkverzeichnisse, vol. 11, Vienna 2020, cat. rais. no. GE 393

Provenance:
Estate of the artist
by descent to Anton Klement (1886-1965), Vienna
Private Collection, Austria (by descent from the above)

Literature:
Arthur Roessler, Wiener Künstler. Prof. Carl Moll, in: Bernhard Altmann Magazin, vol. 2, issue 11/12, 1929, p. 1-6, ill.
Arthur Roessler, Carl Moll. Zum 70. Geburtstag, in: Österreichische Kunst. Monatshefte für bildende Kunst, vol. 4, Vienna 1931, ill. p. 14
Monika Fritz, Der Wiener Maler Carl Moll, Diss. Univ. Innsbruck, Innsbruck 1962, cat. no. 81 ("Scitvar"), ill. 84

At the age of almost 70, around 1930, Carl Moll embarked on his late oeuvre, a perceptible dynamic and stylistically newly shaped period in his work. In keeping wih the Impressionist tradition but with free, broad brushstrokes, he worked with complementary colors of light and dark, always avoiding black. This stylistic shift is also apparent in “The tall poplar”, a pendant to the painting “Summer’s Day” in the Belvedere collection.

A large, shimmering green poplar tree stands majestically on the bank of a pond or watercourse. The painting is a homage to the light. It avoids the monotony of a tonal sequence of the only used colour green by progressing rhythmically and harmoniously from light to dark, additionally creating a sense of vital fluidity with carefully positioned white patches of sky.