The school walk

The artwork in Today's Daily Jigsaw Puzzle is titled "The school walk" (1872), and the artist is Albert Anker ♥

Albert Anker (1831–1910) was a Swiss painter renowned for his detailed and affectionate depictions of rural life in 19th-century Switzerland. Often called the “national painter” of Switzerland, Anker captured everyday scenes with quiet dignity—children at school, women sewing, families gathered around meals—offering a window into the social fabric of his time.

Born in Ins, in the canton of Bern, Anker studied theology before turning to art. He trained in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he was influenced by both academic painting and the realism of the Barbizon school. Upon returning to Switzerland, he devoted himself to painting his homeland with clarity, compassion, and technical precision.

Anker worked meticulously, often producing preparatory drawings in graphite and watercolor before committing to oil. His compositions combined naturalistic observation with a strong sense of composition and light. He had a deep respect for the rhythms of ordinary life and sought to preserve traditional values through his art at a time of rapid social change.

His work was widely exhibited and admired in his lifetime, earning him medals at international exhibitions. Today, Anker’s paintings are treasured in Swiss museums and private collections, seen as both artistic achievements and cultural documents of a bygone era.

You can find more information on Albert Anker here ♥