Lattice Work 1967

Jamie Wyeth’s Lattice Work, is a painting that seems to capture the fleeting quality of light, filtered through a trellis. The colour palette is muted, yet there is a luminosity in the way the paint is applied, as if the artist is working to find the colour within the shadows. The lattice itself is constructed from many individual marks, the wooden struts defined with thin, transparent washes, while the areas of light and colour are built up through multiple layers. This gives a sense of depth and complexity. Looking at the metallic pot on the wooden shelf, the brushwork seems looser and more expressive. I love how the cool greys and blues of the metal contrast with the warm earthy tones of the wood. The artist has even used these same colours in the lattice to give a sense of visual harmony to the piece. For me, the work has echoes of Fairfield Porter, in the interest in capturing the quiet beauty of everyday life, and the emphasis on process and observation. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, with artists responding to and building upon the ideas of those who came before them.