Curatorial Narrative The abstract landscape paintings of Ernst Schiess, such as “Farmhouses,” occupy a pivotal position within the trajectory of post-war modernism. Emerging in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this body of work responds to the gestural and emotive qualities of Abstract Expressionism while pushing against its expressive tendencies through a deliberate and measured approach. Schiess’s distinctive technique involves applying thick layers of paint to the canvas with a palette knife, generating a textured surface that imbues his compositions with a physical presence.In the large-scale format of “Farmhouses,” measuring 53×44 inches, the spatial dynamics are particularly pronounced. The muted browns, greens, and grays create a somber chromatic structure, while the impasto technique contributes to an atmospheric weight that feels both tactile and visual. As this image is enlarged, its Minimalist underpinnings become increasi