Art of the Garden

"Woman Reading by a Window"
Gari Melchers

Showing now at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, NC: a wonderful exhibit entitled "The Artist's Garden: American Impressionism and the Garden Movement, 2887 - 1920". I saw the exhibit recently, and felt like I had made the acquaintance of some artists who were new to me, and had also visited with some artists who are "old friends". 

"Garden at Giverny"
John Leslie Breck, 1887-1891

Starting in the 1880's, quite a few American painters travelled to France. They were drawn to Giverny, Monet's home and gardens. Many of them became neighbors of Monet and painted right alongside him. The influence of the French Impressionists on these American painters is unmistakeable. Thanks to the recent invention of the paint tube, they were able to paint outside. In fact, Breck's painting above was painting in Monet's garden. No longer  confined to the studio, these artists were intent on
experiencing and capturing the fleeting effects of sunlight. The Americans brought the love of painting outdoors back home. That love, combined with the growing "Garden Movement" of the Progressive Era in the United States, set the stage for the explosion of this new body of work. 

"Lady in A Garden"
Frederick Carl Frsieseke, 1912

My personal favorite paintings in the exhibit were Daniel Garber's "Orchard Window" and Walter Gay's "Study for Hollyhocks" (both below). One is a portrait of a young girl, and the other is a portrait of flowers. Yes, that's right. I would call it a portrait of the hollyhocks, rather than a still life. The flowers just seem alive, and I love the shapes of color.

"The Orchard Window"
Daniel Garber, 

"Study for Hollyhocks"
Walter Gay

As winter closes in on us, it is nice to be surrounded by the warmth of these flowers. But make no mistake--these artists found beauty in the winter garden as well. I especially liked John Henry Twachtman's snowy painting below. 

"Snow"
John Henry Twachtman

The exhibit will be up until January 3, 2016--if you have the opportunity, make it part of your holiday plans!