Mountain Creek 

Fern Coppedge’s landscape, ‘Mountain Creek’, captures a winter scene with bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes, characteristic of the Pennsylvania Impressionists. As a woman artist during the early 20th century, Coppedge navigated a male-dominated art world, finding her niche in landscape painting. The scene’s composition, with its vibrant red barn juxtaposed against the cool blues and whites of the snow-covered landscape, reflects both an appreciation for the beauty of nature and a negotiation of traditional gender roles. Landscape painting at the time was often associated with masculine ideals of exploration and ownership, yet Coppedge brings her own perspective, focusing on domestic scenes in nature. Coppedge's painting invites us to consider the relationship between gender, landscape, and artistic expression. The image evokes a sense of tranquility and harmony, reminding us of the emotional and personal connections we form with the spaces we inhabit.