Skiers 1937

This painting, called 'Skiers', was made by Haddon Hubbard Sundblom sometime during the 20th century. The approach here is all about light and gesture, and you can really see that in the way the paint is applied. I'm thinking about the way Sundblom modeled the snow: all these blues and purples, creamy whites, and thick daubs of paint give you a real sense of its texture and depth. Then, notice how he's caught the sunlight on the skier's face and clothes, which brings a warmth to the scene. The diagonal line of the woman's ski suggests the motion of falling, countered by the strong vertical axis of the male figure pulling her up. It's a lovely balance! Sundblom was an illustrator, and this piece reminds me of other commercial artists like Norman Rockwell, but there's something much more sensual here. It's about more than just storytelling. It reminds us that art is not just about what we see, but how we feel.