Icy Winter by George Gardner Symons oil on canvas, 101.6 cm (40 in.), Width: 76.2 cm (30 in.) |
This first one is by an artist who seems to have been completely besotted by snow. George Gardner Symons (1861-1930) is an American impressionist artist who specialised in winter landscapes. He died in January 1930 aged 64.
You can appreciate a range of his winter landscapes here. What I particularly like about them is
- the vantage points and compositions which suggest to me a man who liked to find the best spot rather than the one easiest to paint from.
- the colours he finds in snow
Symons’ exposure to Impressionism in Europe has a lasting influence on his work. He painted “en plein air” and his is generally classified as an “American Impressionist”. Though he is noted in particular for his scenes of New England in the Winter, he is considered a member of the California School of American Impressionism.Other references include:
Wherever he painted, Symons rendered his landscapes in clear, strong compositions, with a vibrant color sense, and the kind of crisp, deliberate brushwork that makes the work of so many American Impressionist painters wonderfully appealing.
- Artcyclopedia - George Gardner Symons Online
- Artnet - George Gardner Symons
- Lines and Colors - George Gardner Symons which provides an excellent resume of his painting career
3 comments:
Interesting how clearly he painted.
That seems unlike the impressionists to me, but I am not very thoroughgoing in my visual knowledge of the Impressionists.
Wonderful example, too.
Thanks Casey
My impression (pun!) is that the American Impressionists don't look necessarily like the French Impressionists - more blurring at the edges of the definition if you like?
A most beautiful painting! Thank you, Katherine for introducing me to Symons.
I can definitely see the 'California' Impressionism appearance of this. Very strong color.
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