The Landing Place 1904

Willard Metcalf made "The Landing Place" with oil on canvas; we don't know exactly when. The paint here is applied loosely, with lots of visible brushstrokes, it's all about process, the evidence of a painter present, responding to what they see. Look at how Metcalf uses colour to create a sense of light and atmosphere. The water reflects the sky, but it also has its own depths, thanks to the way the colors shift. The texture in the foreground has been captured with visible marks. It’s almost like Metcalf is saying, "Here's how I did it, look, look closer!" The painting reminds me a bit of some of the impressionist painters like Monet who were also interested in light and atmosphere, but Metcalf's painting feels more grounded, more personal. It's a landing place, a place to pause and reflect on the beauty of the world around us. It's open to interpretation, and I think that's what makes it so special.