Breathtaking Light and Colour in American Impressionism

“Blooming Meadows” by John Joseph Enneking. American painter (1841 –1916)

Oil on canvas – 1897

The frenetic riot of colours and colour harmonies are breathtaking with a stunning clarity of light in this fresh lively landscape of cherry trees in full bloom, What a glorious and uplifting painting. I feel the light, colour, the crispness of the air on a sunny spring day and the undulating hills and beyond to the far distance. There are strong contrasts of the dark branches and white mixed with subtle blue, green and pink colours set against the flat blue of background and sky.

This painting shows the impact and influence the French Impressionists had on artists arriving from America to Paris, the hot spot for rapidly developing ideas and new ways to create art.

A gorgeous painting heartily engaging with the rapidly changing exciting new methods and styles of painting as a new generation of artists breakaway from the stifling constraints of the French Academy’s dictated grip on how and what art should do and look like.

This is painted with short dabs and lines of rapidly applied thick paint and pure colour Similar to the French Impressionists but although Enneking heartily embraced the young breakaways this painting with all of its dash and daring is still restrained with Enneking relying on his years of Academy training and skill to maintain a closer touch of realism.

This painting is utterly inspiring, charming, full of happiness, light and joy. Take time and meditate on this spectacle and dispel life’s worries and anxieties to regain inner calm and contentment.

LOVE ART, LOVE LIFE.

TALKING ART with Paul Woods.

Learning how to read a painting, analyse composition, interpret the painting and compose a meaningful, informed personal opinion and confidently articulate to friends and others your thoughts and ides.