A Boy Fishing 1919

John Linnell made this painting of a boy fishing with oils, but the date is unknown. Look at the way Linnell applied the paint. The colours are warm and earthy, with soft, blended strokes that evoke a sense of light and atmosphere. I wonder, was Linnell also interested in the act of waiting and watching? I bet he was really in touch with the way the light filters through the trees and how it reflects on the water. The boy is so still, he seems to blend in with the landscape. The surface of the painting has a gentle texture. It almost feels like you can reach out and touch the bark on the trees or feel the coolness of the water. And this is what painting is—an ongoing conversation. I hope this work inspires us to slow down and observe the world around us.