September Afternoon 1887

George Inness painted "September Afternoon" in 1887, using oil on canvas. The visible brushwork and layered application of the oil paint are particularly noteworthy, as they emphasize the artist's hand and process. Inness employed techniques that were both traditional and innovative for his time. The canvas, a mass-produced material, was primed to accept the oil paint, a medium refined over centuries. But his approach was distinctive; observe the thick impasto in the foliage, capturing fleeting light. The materiality of the paint itself is crucial here. Its texture, weight, and color contribute to a palpable sense of atmosphere. Inness’s landscapes often evoke a sense of idealized rural life, which can be read as a reaction to the increasing industrialization and urbanization of America during his time. This artwork, with its emphasis on the beauty of the natural world and the simplicity of rural existence, romanticizes the social context of the late 19th century. Ultimately, “September Afternoon” invites us to consider how materials, making, and social context intertwine, blurring traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.