(Oberndorf 1891–1958 Kitzbühel)
“Kirchgang”, 1935, signed A. Walde, on the reverse titled and dated in the artist’s handwriting on the original artist’s label, oil on cardboard, 40 x 37 cm, in original Walde-frame

Provenance:
Private Collection, Südtirol/South Tyrol

Registered:
Alfons Walde Archive

Winter in Tirol, Bauersfrauen am Weg or Kirchgang are the various titles Alfons Walde used for this popular image. The small village of Aurach once again forms the picturesque stage, only the striking parish church is moved to the background, while the conversation of two peasant women in festive Sunday costume becomes the main motif.

Rarely, however, has Walde painted the motif in this large format. It also fascinates with the strikingly experimental ductus, which alternates between vehemently applied, impasto accents and almost watercolor-like passages. The bright colours of the aprons in complementary blue and red framed by the special white of the Walde-snow captivate the eye and thematically set the dynamic rhythm of the painting. Ingeniously, the artist creates a tension between the static nature of the figures and buildings and the moving spatial composition, which is also given a playful touch in the undulation of the signature.