Crimson Glory 1988

Eyvind Earle created 'Crimson Glory', which is inspired by the landscapes of the American West, and yet departs from realism through its simplified forms and heightened colors. Earle came to prominence during a period when the art world was dominated by abstract expressionism, but he forged his own path, one influenced by his work for Walt Disney as a background artist for animated features like 'Sleeping Beauty' and the flat, decorative style seen in Japanese prints. He turned these influences towards landscape painting, and his works invite us to consider the cultural moment that produced them. His landscapes, while seemingly traditional, were at odds with the avant-garde art of the time. Were they conservative? Or were they pointing toward a new kind of accessibility in art? To fully understand Earle, we might explore the archives of Disney's animation studios, alongside historical accounts of American landscape painting. These approaches highlight how art is always shaped by its social and institutional context.