Early Summer 1938

Curator: Stow Wengenroth’s print, "Early Summer", presents us with a detailed rendering of a rural scene. Editor: The immediate impression is of quietude. The shadows and the aged wood evoke a sense of time worn down, a rustic and somewhat melancholic feeling. Curator: Wengenroth was known for his lithographic skills, capturing the textures of weathered surfaces. Note how he meticulously renders the light filtering through the foliage. This reflects the labor and traditional craft inherent to the medium. Editor: The barn, draped in shadows, almost feels like a sacred space. Perhaps it's the suggestion of secrets and memories hidden within its aged walls. The tree arching over the structure feels like a guardian. Curator: The print’s focus on the vernacular architecture and the surrounding landscape can be interpreted as a reflection on rural life, its connection to the land, and the means of subsistence tied to it. Editor: I see the simplicity of life celebrated here, in its repetitive cyclical nature, a visual poem using light, shadow, and form. Curator: Considering Wengenroth’s wider body of work, "Early Summer" provides insight into how everyday environments are elevated through craft. Editor: It’s a gentle reminder of the enduring power of simple forms and familiar images to trigger deep emotions.