Big Sur Poem 1996

Eyvind Earle made “Big Sur Poem,” with what looks like tempera paint, in a style reminiscent of the American modernists. Earle's landscapes offer a vision of nature carefully ordered and idealized. In a way that could be compared to the Hudson River School, his images promote a sense of the sublime power of nature. However, rather than a direct, realist approach, Earle’s stylized landscape reflects the growing interest in environmentalism, and the need to conserve the landscape. Earle spent time working as a background artist for Disney, and his institutional experience shaped his approach to landscape. The vivid colors and flattened perspective speak to a unique artistic vision. It's worth remembering that our appreciation of this artwork is tied to our own cultural values. To truly grasp the artwork, we can dig into Earle’s personal history, and explore the history of landscape painting and environmentalism in American art.