Coming of Spring 1912

Editor: Frederick McCubbin's 1912 painting, "Coming of Spring," done with oil paint, it’s just so… dreamy. The colors are muted, and there’s this hazy quality. What's your take on it? What story do you think it is telling? Curator: Ah, McCubbin. He always knew how to bottle a mood! To me, this whispers of beginnings, doesn't it? The softness… It’s as if he’s captured the very moment the world wakes up, rubs the sleep from its eyes. And have you noticed the contrast? In the background the muted colors and indistinct form of what might be a city slowly being taken over by nature; in the foreground is the calf exploring a blossoming hill, a small miracle. It is like he’s juxtaposing what used to be to the power of life. It makes me think - doesn't it all come down to this dance, this negotiation between the wild and the… well, less wild? Editor: Definitely. The juxtaposition creates so much visual interest! So, do you see that calf as a symbol? Curator: Perhaps of hope or purity, absolutely! But even deeper, maybe a representation of what the city can come to resemble when we choose to connect with nature rather than fight it. The Romantic spirit for sure, eh? Editor: Yeah. I think I initially got caught up in the haziness and missed that dialogue. Curator: It's easy to do! These kinds of landscapes are an invitation, a gentle nudge to get lost in the details and find yourself in the bigger picture. Editor: Well, I am finding more nuance than I expected from what I initially saw! Curator: And isn’t that the joy of art, my friend? Always more to discover.