Summer Landscape (Summertime) 1897

Joseph DeCamp created this impressionist landscape painting, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with oil on canvas. DeCamp was part of the Boston School, a group of American impressionist painters known for their focus on light and atmosphere. Notice how the painting captures a quintessential New England summer scene, likely reflecting DeCamp's own surroundings and experiences. The stone wall hints at the region's agricultural history and the human labor involved in shaping the land. The brushstrokes and use of light create a sense of warmth and tranquility, evoking the feeling of a lazy summer day. Yet, the painting also suggests a certain class perspective, presenting an idealized view of rural life that may not reflect the realities of working-class communities at the time. Through its composition and style, the artwork invites us to consider the complex relationship between nature, labor, and social identity in the American landscape.