Hannaford's Cove 1922

George Luks made "Hannaford's Cove" with oil on canvas at an unknown date, but probably in the early 20th century. The mark making here feels direct, honest, and unfussy. It's cool how Luks builds up the scene with thick strokes of paint; you can practically feel the texture of the rocks and the roughness of the sea. The physicality of the medium really shines through! I love the way he captures light, especially on that orange boat. See how the brushstrokes are laid down so deliberately, almost like he's sculpting with paint? There's a real energy there, a sense of movement and immediacy. Luks was part of the Ashcan School, and you see that same raw, urban sensibility here, even though it's a landscape. It's like he's finding the grit and beauty in everyday scenes, just like his contemporary, John Sloan. It's all about the way we look, right?