Intriguing Original 19th-century Oil Painting: A White Horse In Les Diablerets, A Swiss Alpine Landscape

An intriguing and atmospheric 19th-century oil painting depicting a white pack horse following another horse along a winding mountain path in Les Diablerets, in the Swiss Alps. Tall conifers and rugged rocks frame the scene, while distant peaks are silhouetted against a slightly cloudy sky.

The light illuminates the horse and the stony path, contrasting with the deep shadows of the undergrowth. The rich greens, earthy browns, and mountains in soft shades of blue-gray give the painting a beautiful sense of depth and evoke the peaceful solitude of a journey through the Alps.

An unusual inscription along the edge of the canvas adds a personal touch to its history: “Path near Le Creux de Champ. White horse. 1861. Unfinished—injured finger.” These words indicate that the painting remained unfinished due to a finger injury. This handwritten note offers a unique glimpse into the circumstances of its creation.

Painted in oil on cardboard—originally mounted on canvas and now mounted on wood—the work bears the inscription “Diablerets” in the lower right corner and the date July 18, 1861, in the lower left corner. Other handwritten inscriptions appear on the reverse. A separate typewritten label attributes the painting to “Ch. Humbert” of the Geneva School and indicates the date 1864, which does not match the other dates noted on the work. This attribution and the precise date remain to be confirmed.

Presented in an ornate gilded frame decorated with foliage scrolls, this painting would be well-suited for a collection of Alpine landscapes or equestrian paintings.

Period: Second half of the 19th century.
Subject: White horse on a mountain path, Les Diablerets.
Technique: Oil on cardboard mounted on canvas.
Date: 1861.
Frame: Intricate gilded frame, included, in very good original condition.
Condition: The painting is in good original condition and shows only very minor losses of paint at the edges of the painted surface.
Dimensions of the artwork without frame: 43 × 54 cm.

Please examine the photographs carefully to assess the condition of the painting and the frame, as well as the details of the inscriptions. They are an integral part of the description.

An original antique oil painting, not a print or reproduction.