The artwork that I am going to present in this paper is a painting by Dale Nichols “While the Sun Shines” that he created in 1936. It is a classical rural landscape that shows hard work of farmers in the haying season (May, 2012). Before expressing my feelings considering this piece, I want to look into the essence of rural landscape painting.
Landscape is a real view of some location, in the visual arts – it is a genre or a single product, in which the main subject of the image is original or to some extent transformed nature. It is not a mechanical reproduction of the human environment, it is an artistic image of nature or city, that is aesthetically meaningful, poeticized, as if passed through a personal perception of the artist. Diversity of nature has given rise to development of many directions in this genre, one of the most popular in which is the country, rural landscape.
Relationships between nature and the results of conscious human activity have always been quite difficult, even contentious; in the visual arts it can be seen most clearly. Landscape sketches with architecture, fence or fuming factory chimneys do not create the mood of peace: in such a background the beauty of nature is lost. However, there is an environment where human activities and nature are in harmony or contrast, with nature playing a major role – a rural area where architectural constructions complement rustic motifs.
This direction of landscape painting was popular at all times, regardless of fashion. Artists in the rural landscape are attracted by tranquility, original poetry of rural life, harmony with nature. House by the river, rocks, green meadows, country roads have inspired artists of all times and countries.
So, what is the difference between rural and other types of landscape? Country (rural) landscape is the most common topic of landscape painting of all times. House on a hill or a river, green meadows or gloomy rocks, dirty road or trail are the motives of many paintings by artists of different countries. The rustic landscape artists draw poetry of rural life, the real connection with nature.
In the work of landscape painters it is not the realistic image of nature that is interesting, but rather a reflection of the subjective, personal look at it. Their emotional state is often associated with the state of nature. Landscapes can express the feelings of people, because they reproduce the types of creative artists of nature. It seems that they paint their feelings, such as "happy" or "dark", although the nature of these states is not inherent.
I think that the painting of Dale Nichols is one of the perfect examples of the rural landscape genre. I think that it is also valuable because it portrays not only the beauty of nature, but also the way nature influences people’s life in the country. The sense of the picture is given in its title – “While the sun shines”. In particular, it reflects how the daylight hours are critical for the labor – as soon as the morning dew dries off the hay and there is enough daylight for work, farmers start their hard work and continue until the late evening.
The painter made me think of the importance of each moment for nature and for the country. People there value all the time that is given to them and use it so as to help nature and themselves live in harmony with everything around them. Nichols emphasized the picture with the color solutions and the hard angles of the hay derrick against the curves of the sweeping landscape. Personally I liked the contrast of deep blue sky and the red wooden construction. It is beautiful and filled with a deep sense. I also see dynamics in every element of the picture. There is nothing static in it – hay is in action, people are working, horses are moving.
I like pictures that are vivid and come to life when you start looking carefully at them. When I look at this artwork, I immediately see it in action – the work, even imagine the sounds that are around the farmers. They are the sounds of nature along with the sounds of animals, wind and instruments – all combined in a symphony of rural life. I think that it is one of the most beautiful symphonies that can ever exist.
Another feature of the painting that I like is its harmonious lines. There are only a few angles, and the rest of the painting is very fluid and beautiful. They hay as it is portrayed in the pictures looks like it is alive, as if it is breathing. I think it is because of the absence of detailed hay painting – it is rather a vivid yellow mass filled with life, with its own history. I like that there is such a scope for fantasy – you can imagine the moves of the hay, of people – all due to the absence of excessive details.
It is important that people are actively involved in the picture and work in it so realistically. It helps to better understand and even feel the atmosphere of the landscape. Owing to the special dynamics that is present in the picture, the figures of people are perceived as alive and it helps in seeing more complete picture of the nature. It is interesting how these people are not interfering with the natural landscape and the peace of the atmosphere, but instead – they complement it, making it more vivid and complete. Their clothes, look and even thoughts cannot be distinguished from the general look of the rural area. The colors chosen for their depiction suit the surrounding area finely, which allows for their consideration as a whole with it.
I think that this painting is a great example of the rural landscape genre, because it is harmonious and all its elements are in the right places, complementing each other, and making the sense of the picture more vivid. I am sure that even if one element was removed from the picture, its sense wouldn’t be complete.
On the whole, I can say that the painting is a powerful artwork that makes me think of the values that can be easily missed in the daily routine. If you look at it and think about the morning time, you understand how important and valuable it is for farmers. In cities that are always busy and growing fast it is very easy to forget valuing such things. I am happy that I have a chance to think over such valuable themes, owing to such artworks.
References
May, Stephen. (2012). Dale Nichols: Transcending Regionalism At Montgomery Museum Of Fine Arts. Retrieved from http://antiquesandthearts.com/wrappersstory.asp?file=2012-03-20__10-14-27.xml&event=shows
