Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Mathias Joseph Alten died in 1938; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2008.
In context
Resting — Mathias Joseph Alten
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 67 at death.
Painted when the artist was 58. The artist lived to 67. 74 of the 91 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Mathias Joseph Alten (1871–1938) ▲ this work, 1929 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1910 Main working years: 1910–1927 Late works: from 1927
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/mathias-joseph-alten-resting-8YDR89-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Putty #e6e1ce
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 79.6% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 96 works by this artist, of which 29 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 14 of them, with 2.3% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Mathias Joseph Alten (1871-1938) stands as a pivotal figure in American Impressionism, capturing the serene beauty of Michigan landscapes and portraying intimate portraits with remarkable sensitivity. Born in Germany, Alten emigrated to the United States in 1894, establishing himself in Traverse City, Michigan, where he would spend the remainder of his life pursuing his artistic vision. His distinctive style—characterized by soft brushstrokes, luminous color palettes, and a focus on capturing fleeting moments of light—earned him recognition as one of the foremost landscape painters of his era.
Alten’s formative years were spent in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he received formal training at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf under Wilhelm Trübschenitsch, honing his skills in traditional academic painting techniques before embracing Impressionism's revolutionary approach. This dual influence—classical precision tempered by modernist experimentation—shaped Alten’s artistic sensibilities and informed his distinctive visual language. He initially explored genre scenes, depicting domestic interiors with meticulous detail, but quickly gravitated towards the expansive vistas of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and surrounding countryside.
Alten's landscapes are instantly recognizable for their tranquil atmosphere and masterful depiction of natural light. He meticulously observed the changing seasons—particularly spring—recording the vibrant hues of blossoming wildflowers, meandering streams reflecting sunlight, and grazing cows against rolling hills. His canvases convey a profound connection to the land, imbued with a palpable sense of stillness and contemplation. Notable works include “Three Women in a Rowboat,” which exemplifies Alten’s ability to capture subtle nuances of emotion within a serene setting, and "Spring Landscape with Meandering Stream and Cows," showcasing his exceptional command of color and texture. These paintings are celebrated for their evocative beauty and represent a cornerstone of Michigan's artistic heritage.
Beyond landscapes, Alten produced a series of portraits that reveal an astute understanding of human psychology. He skillfully rendered the faces of his subjects—often family members—with remarkable accuracy and empathy, capturing not only physical likeness but also inner character traits. His portraits are distinguished by their soft lighting and delicate brushwork, creating images that convey warmth and intimacy. The “Female Nude” exemplifies Alten’s ability to portray vulnerability and grace with understated elegance.
Alten's artistic legacy extends beyond his individual paintings; he fostered a vibrant artistic community in Traverse City, encouraging fellow artists to explore the expressive possibilities of Impressionism. His influence can be seen in the works of subsequent Michigan painters who embraced Alten’s aesthetic principles. Today, Mathias Joseph Alten’s landscapes and portraits continue to inspire admiration for their beauty and emotional depth—testaments to his enduring contribution to American art history.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/mathias-joseph-alten-resting-8YDR89-en/
Look closely
Resting — Mathias Joseph Alten
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The contrast level of "Resting" by Mathias Joseph Alten is bold.
Mathias Joseph Alten made "Resting" in 1929.
The X-Ray view of "Resting" by Mathias Joseph Alten is on the artwork's X-Ray page: an interactive examination of the image through eleven optical layers.