October Morning 

Rose O'Neill made this painting, October Morning, using oil on canvas. O'Neill was a successful commercial artist and illustrator in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her work often reflected the changing roles of women in society at the time. O'Neill’s art challenged the traditional representation of women and explored themes of independence and empowerment. Here, in contrast, we see a gentle landscape with trees, grass and the distant hills that evokes a quiet moment in nature. While the painting doesn't overtly address social issues, it can be seen as a reflection of O'Neill's desire to escape from the pressures and expectations of urban life and to find solace in the natural world. It's also a rejection of the more formalized academic painting of the time. To fully appreciate O'Neill's contributions, one must consider her personal history, her struggles as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the cultural context in which she worked.