September 1889

Curator: Standing before us is Alexis Jean Fournier’s “September,” a painting completed in 1889, now held in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Fournier, influenced by both the Hudson River School and Impressionism, gives us a fascinating study of a late summer landscape. Editor: Well, my first thought? Peace. Absolute peace. It just sort of hums with that late summer laziness… like the world’s taking a big, easy breath before things get hectic. Curator: The painting, rendered in oil paint, presents a field in that transitional state between summer's abundance and autumn's harvest. You can see the Impressionistic influence in the way the light filters across the scene. Considering the period and Fournier's connection to artistic movements, it can be viewed through the lens of the agrarian ideal and its representation in late 19th-century America. This ties into questions of land ownership, labor, and the romanticized vision of rural life. Editor: Romanticized, sure. But look at those tire tracks. They are pretty recent so I like to imagine it being an old dirt road that sees enough traffic to keep it from fading entirely into the landscape. The colors too are a mix of what has stayed behind from summer but there's the faintest kiss of fall coming up around the edges of the wood. Curator: Yes, and while the landscape evokes the beauty and simplicity of rural life, we shouldn’t ignore that such imagery often obscured the realities faced by agricultural workers, especially those from marginalized communities. Art historians now often contextualize landscapes within broader social, economic, and political narratives. The Hudson River School is not exempt. Editor: So, what do you think ol' Fournier was really getting at, under the surface? A love letter to simple times, a nudge about what's around the bend? It feels kind of ominous and comforting at the same time. Curator: Perhaps Fournier's piece serves as a gentle reminder of the cyclical nature of time, but also highlights how representations of "nature" often obscure the complex social dynamics at play, subtly engaging with then contemporary discussions. Editor: True. So many ways to read a picture! Makes you wanna pack a lunch and wander those fields yourself. Curator: Indeed. And considering its multiple dimensions has certainly changed my viewing experience today.