Picnic in the Pines, Asgaard

According to Richard V. West, "The setting for this painting is the pine grove adjacent to the Kent home at Asgaard, the artist's residence from 1928, located near Au Sable forks, New York. Freely brushed in rich, warm tones, this oil probably commemorates a family event. Of particular interest is Kent's choice of view facing into the sun, seen shining through the branches of the pine trees. This marks a return to an early fascination of the artist, who painted a series of 'into the sun' landscapes in the early part of the twentieth century during his sojourns on Monhegan Island, Maine and Fox Island, Alaska. This arrangement also allows the artist to create a shadow pattern cast by the trees that adds interst and complexity to the foreground." (unpublished letter dated March 26, 2007)

This painting will be included in the catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Richard V. West.

This painting will be included in Scott R. Ferris' fortchoming catalogue raisonné of the artist's paintings.