in the Poppy Field 1914

Charles Sprague Pearce made "In the Poppy Field" sometime in the late 19th century, with what looks like a soft, blended approach to oil paint, almost like he's trying to make the canvas disappear. Check out how he’s built up the forms of the haystacks and the women’s dresses with these hazy, muted colors. It’s all about atmosphere. The paint isn't troweled on thick or anything; instead, he's using thin layers and subtle gradients to create this dreamy effect. Look at the way the light filters through the clouds, almost like he's painting the air itself. See how the woman on the right’s face is cast in shadow, but there's still a warmth in her skin tone? It’s all so carefully observed. It reminds me a little of Corot, who was also interested in capturing these fleeting moments of light and shadow, but with a kind of quiet, contemplative mood all his own. Art is just one big conversation, right?