9 October 2025. Fontaine at the Place de la Couronne, Lutry. 9.10.2025. 20x27 cm

9 October 2025. Fontaine at the Place de la Couronne, Lutry.

This original plein-air oil painting was created in the historic centre of Lutry, Switzerland, at the Place de la Couronne on an autumn day in October 2025. Painted directly on location, the work captures one of the most characteristic spaces of the old village, where stone architecture, public life and centuries of local history converge around the fountain at the heart of the square.

Place de la Couronne occupies a central position within the medieval fabric of Lutry, a lakeside town situated on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) at the entrance to the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage region. Surrounded by historic buildings and narrow streets, the square remains a living meeting place where everyday life continues within a landscape shaped by centuries of cultural history. (Lutry)

At the centre of the composition stands the Fontaine de la Couronne, one of the historic fountains of Lutry. The current stone basin dates to the seventeenth century, while the column was added in the eighteenth century, making the fountain a lasting witness to the evolving life of the village. For generations, such fountains served not only practical purposes but also acted as social and communal landmarks. (notrehistoire.ch)

On this October day, autumn light moved across the stone surfaces of the square, creating subtle reflections and warm tonal variations. The fountain, architecture and surrounding atmosphere seemed united by a quiet sense of continuity. Rather than depicting a monument alone, the painting focuses on the lived presence of the place, where history remains embedded within everyday scenes.

Working outdoors allows direct observation of changing light, weather and atmosphere. The colours of autumn, the textures of the old village and the rhythm of the square became essential elements of the painting process, preserving a moment that existed only briefly before shifting again.

This work belongs to my ongoing series dedicated to Lutry, Lavaux and the landscapes and historic spaces surrounding Lac Léman. Each painting records a direct encounter with a place, its atmosphere and its changing light.

Original plein-air oil painting by Olga Tacan.

Location: Place de la Couronne, Lutry, Lavaux, Vaud, Switzerland
Subject: Historic fountain and village square
Region: Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage landscape near Lac Léman (Lake Geneva)
Medium: Oil painting
Date painted: 9 October 2025

Oil on paper

Plain air painting

Size 20 x 27 cm

Size with passé-partout  45 x 56 cm 

Date: 9 October 2025

Location: Lutry, Switzerland