Ice Skaters 1909

Here's an image of ice skaters, painted by J.C. Leyendecker, though the date isn't noted here, I'd guess it was sometime in the early 1900s. The approach to color here is really about muted tones and soft contrasts. Look at the way the brushstrokes create the texture of the ice, not by smoothing it, but by suggesting its rough, crystalline surface. There’s a process here of layering light and shadow to build up the image, revealing a sense of depth, even where the palette is quite restrained. The physicality of Leyendecker’s paint application is really present in the details. See the way he's dabbed the fur stole around the woman’s shoulders, creating this wonderful sense of volume and weight? It's like he's built up the image piece by piece, almost sculptural in its effect. This reminds me a little of John Singer Sargent, with that bravura brushwork and interest in capturing fleeting moments of everyday life. But Leyendecker has his own distinct voice, an interest in elegance and style that sets him apart. Ultimately, it's about inviting the viewer to bring their own experiences to the table, to find their own meaning in the image.