October Morning, Deerfield 1917

Willard Metcalf made this painting of Deerfield on an October Morning with oil on canvas. I love how the brushstrokes feel both considered and free, like he's really enjoying the process of moving the paint around. Look closely, and you'll see how Metcalf builds up the colors in layers. Patches of oranges, yellows and reds dance together in the fall trees. The texture is so rich and inviting! The paint is applied with visible brushstrokes and feels thick, but never overworked. He creates a sense of light and atmosphere that is incredible. Check out the figures in the foreground; Metcalf uses just a few strokes to define them and it totally works. It reminds me a bit of some of Monet's paintings, where the impression is everything. This piece feels like a conversation across time about how we see the world.