The Pond in October 1921

Clarence Gagnon painted this autumnal landscape in oil, capturing a pond in October. The way he uses color feels so intuitive, like he’s responding to the scene as much as representing it. You can almost feel him mixing those vibrant reds and oranges, playing with how they bounce off the water. Looking closely, you can see the texture in the paint, especially in the reflections of the trees. It’s not about perfect realism, but about the physicality of paint. Each stroke seems to capture a fleeting moment. Notice the small, bright highlights in the water, they’re like tiny sparks of energy, bringing the whole scene to life. The whole thing feels so immersive, as though you're right there by the pond, feeling the crisp air and the stillness of the water. Gagnon's work reminds me of the landscapes by the Group of Seven, those Canadians were so good at capturing the raw beauty of the natural world. Art is this amazing conversation across time, always riffing off each other. What do you think?