Tile 1897 - 1913

This square tile by Charles Volkmar is like a little window, painted with this hazy scene of trees against a dreamy sky. It's giving me all kinds of atmospheric vibes. I imagine Volkmar, probably working outdoors, layering these thin washes of mossy green, ochre, and deep brown. It's almost like he's trying to capture not just the look of the forest, but also the feeling of being in it – the dampness, the quiet, the way the light filters through the leaves. See how he's built up the paint in layers? You can almost feel the texture, like the rough bark of a tree or the softness of the grass. It makes me think about the Hudson River School painters and their obsession with light and landscape. There's a similar mood here, but in this super intimate, miniature way. It’s like Volkmar is inviting us into his own private, contemplative world. And that's what painting is all about, right?