1
“The End of the Day”
(1990)
Materials used in the painting are oil and canvas. The painting is executed in realistic style. It depicts a quiet scene of family life: the end of the day, as the name suggests. The foreground depicts a women, holding a book, with a child sitting on her knees. This is a mother, who is reading a story for her daughter. Interestingly, there are no any scenes or objects on the background, it is just a brown wall, possibly wooden, as it becomes obvious from the texture. Thus, the painting reminds a close portrait camera shot. The painting is square, colors are sharply contrasting. Though there are a lot of dark shades, the mood of the painting is warm in general.
The painting depicts artist’s wife, Margaret, while she is reading a bedtime story for their little daughter Elizabeth. This theme (mother and child) is one of the central in painter’s works. It was probably inspired by the joy he felt after the birth of his daughter. The painting received much acclaim and was later reproduced as a print. It is narrative, expressionistic, and devotional at the same time. It is a little abstract from the artist’s personal story.
Such personal approach to the painting and intimacy that appears on it is what I found the most attractive in Kendall’s painting. Familiar simplicity and calmness make me think of these people like someone whom I may see somewhere on the street the other day, not just some abstract heroes. Still, this simplicity doesn’t make the painting dull or senseless.
2
Percy Gray (1869-1952)
Mount Rainier
(1926)
This is oil painting on canvas, presented to the museum by Cleland and Katherine Whitton. Artist’s technique is the mix of realism and impressionism. Composition is classic, close to even minimalistic. Artist emphasizes the background, placing the main object, the mountain, there. He does not pay much attention to little objects, almost excluding them from the scene (except some trees). The painting is full of light, although cold shades are used. Colors are contrasting, but the contrast is nor very sharp. In total, they create a special effect, which helps to depicture the harmony of this place, predominating there in real life.
This artwork belongs to the early samples of Seattle landscape paintings. The artist, who created it, was the most adventurous painter in Northern Carolina and one of the most admired West Coast painters at the time. He was also the outdoorsman, who created the first views of the Cascade peaks at the site. In spring of 1926, Gray made his trek to Mount Rainier for working on this painting. The artwork was executed during his staying in the meadow at the viewpoint called Paradise. If you go there today, you probably will be able to see the same scenery. The painting is very expressionistic and spiritual. It does not tell the story – it is meditative experience with admiring nature, rather a particular mood than a narrative.
The painting attracted my attention by the panoramic view pictured there. It also expresses nostalgia, being light but with blue, grey, and green colors prevailing. It creates the feeling of freshness and science. It is like a breath of fresh air in the city.
3
Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902)
Puget Sound on the Pacific Coast
(1870)
The painting is a gift of the Friends of American Art at the Seattle Art Museum. This is oil on canvas. The scene is depicted in a very realistic manner. Brushwork is exquisite and precise. The place, which appears behind your eyes, is pictured as very detailed, and every detail is well-mastered. All elements perfectly fit together, just like numerous tiny pieces of a big puzzle, and it probably took a lot of time for this puzzle to be finished. The painting reminds a far distance shot. On the foreground, the painter pictures tiny people. They are occupied with some work, trying to get in a safe place further from the stormy sea (at least it is what it seems). The painter opposes humans to massive clouds on the background, which occupy most of space of the painting.
Bierstadt insisted that this was a true portrait of a place, and it is complicated to deny this fact looking at his monumental painting. Ambitious artist believed that such landscapes would draw attention to the place, which they depict – the West. Back then, the majority of Americans could not even locate the abovementioned region on the map correctly. Interestingly, the landscape is imaginary, but it is based on artist’s personal experience of travelling along the Northwest coast in 1863 and visiting the Columbia River in particular. He collected native artifacts and placed them on the foreground of the painting. This artwork is extremely expressionistic, deeply psychological, and a bit symbolic.
This painting impresses from the first look at it. Massive waves and clouds express the might of nature, with people becoming almost invisible. Strikingly realistic, it looks almost like a photographed scene, but much more expressive and alive. It creates the mixed feeling of threat and freedom.
4
Luca Carievariis (1663-1729)
The Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal
(1710)
The panoramic scene executed with oil on canvas is created with warm colors and shimmering shades. The composition includes numerous colorful little details – people, animals, ships etc. Color palette is very diverse. The artist plays with light and dimensionality, creating the feeling of movement and noise. Contrasting colors are supplemented by contrasting sizes. The composition is partially framed: there is a massive building on the forefront, and the row of buildings stretches far to the horizon line. However, the artist decides to leave open space on the other side.
This picture was drawn in the beginning of the 18th century, and it has a long history. Back then, Europeans often travelled to Europe for viewing historical sights and treasures dating back to the classical period. Such journeys became so common that they even got a specific name – Grand Tour, and such travelling experience became the essential part of every educated young person. Meanwhile, Italian artists depictured the live of the famous beautiful cities on their paintings. The view on the Grand Canal would be a perfect souvenir. The artwork by Carievariis is one of the earliest pieces of art of this style. It depicts the cityscape familiar to many with tourists and locals walking along the esplanade. Though it is a scene from an ordinary day, it is a fascinating and looks very alive. It is a narrative, which consists of several stories, and a new one can be found with every closer look. The painting is is expressionistic and spiritual.
Personally, I like the general mood this work of art bears. It is a bit prosy and depicts down-to-earth things, but at the same time evokes romantic and dreamy mood, causes positive emotions and a feeling of pleasant nostalgia.
