The Arno in the Evening, Florence 1912

Oscar Bluemner made this ink drawing, titled "The Arno in the Evening, Florence," during his time in Europe, around 1911-12. Bluemner, a German-American modernist painter, often infused his landscapes with emotional and symbolic content. This sketch captures a moment of serene beauty along the Arno River, but it also hints at Bluemner's personal and artistic struggles. As a trained architect, Bluemner felt torn between the precision of design and the freedom of artistic expression. His identity as an immigrant also influenced his work, creating a sense of longing and displacement. Bluemner once said, "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." In this drawing, the quick, expressive lines and the contrast between light and shadow evoke a feeling of fleeting time and introspection. The scene isn't just a depiction of Florence; it’s a reflection of Bluemner’s inner world, shaped by his complex identities and experiences. It invites us to consider how our own perceptions are colored by our histories.