The Clearing in the Woods 1913

Clarence Gagnon mixed clear blues with creamy whites to create this crisp winter scene. I wonder what it was like for him to stand there, in the snow, working on this piece? The thin paint and delicate brushstrokes give the impression of light flickering across the landscape. There’s a really interesting contrast between the dark, dense forest in the background and the bright, open space in the foreground. Like a stage, it draws us into the heart of the scene. Look at the way he’s rendered the trees in the foreground - these vertical lines frame the snowy vista, guiding our eye through the composition. It’s a classic compositional trick, used by so many artists. Painting is a conversation, artists building on the ideas and techniques of those who came before. Each brushstroke is a response, a gesture in an ongoing dialogue.