Full Moon Rising 2020

Mark Maggiori's 'Full Moon Rising' presents a figure on horseback bathed in the soft light of a full moon, likely rendered in oil on canvas. The artist’s touch is evident in the brushstrokes that build up the landscape and the rider's clothing. It's like watching the scene come to life, one layer at a time. The material aspects of the work pull me in, especially the way Maggiori handles light and shadow. The blanket, draped over the rider, has these creamy whites that catch the moonlight, contrasting with the darker tones of the horse. Looking closely, you can see the texture, the way the brush moves to create the folds of the fabric. Then the land is built up from these short strokes that create the sensation of distance and the details of all the shrubs. Maggiori’s scene resonates with the romanticism of earlier artists, like Frederic Remington, who also captured the American West. But here, there is a dreamlike quality; an invitation to get lost in the vastness of the scene and consider our place within it.