Indian Summer, Vermont 1922

Willard Metcalf made this painting, Indian Summer, Vermont, using oil on canvas. Looking at it, I can imagine Metcalf outside, maybe a bit chilly, really taking in that landscape and trying to catch the light. He’s probably squinting, trying to get the colors just right. Notice how the blues and yellows are dabbed on, like he’s building up the scene bit by bit. It's a sunny day but the mountain is dark. It’s about color but also about temperature. I love the way he handles the water—it’s not just blue, it’s got all these other colors mixed in, making it feel alive and moving. The brushstrokes around the riverbank feel really free, like he’s just letting the paint flow. Metcalf was part of a group of painters who were all about capturing light and atmosphere. Think of other artists of this time, like Monet, for example. They're all in conversation, trying to figure out how to make paint do something new and exciting. Painting is a form of exchange over time, and this work is part of that ongoing discussion.