Autumn Meadows 1869

George Inness painted "Autumn Meadows" with oil on canvas likely sometime in the late nineteenth century. Inness's landscapes like this were popular with the rising American middle class. The late 1800s were a time of rapid industrialization, and Inness's nostalgic scenes offered a comforting escape from the growing urban centers and social anxieties of the Gilded Age. The hazy light and soft brushstrokes create a dreamy, idealized view of rural life. The scene is absent of any overt signs of labor or social strife, presenting a harmonious vision of nature. It's interesting to note that Inness was deeply influenced by the spiritualist Emanuel Swedenborg, and that his landscapes were more than just pretty pictures; they were attempts to capture a deeper, divine reality. To really understand Inness, we can look at period writings on art and nature, exhibition reviews, and even the artist’s personal letters. These resources help us understand the cultural values and social conditions that shaped both the creation and reception of his work.