Spring Landscape

Edward Willis Redfield is most popularly known as an American Impressionist who developed his style and manner of painting landscapes in the plein air tradition. "His paintings were done in the field and straight on to the canvas, and with great rapidity and force." (J.M.W. Fletcher, Edward Willis Redfield 1869-1965: An American Impressionist, His Paintings and the Man Behind the Palette, Lahaska, Pennsylvania, 1996, p. 1) In Spring Landscape, it is evident that Redfield took hold of the Impressionist tradition by using a variety of colors and quick brushstrokes. But the true talent of this artist lies in his ability to capture pivotal moments in nature.

By using soft, pastel colors in Spring Landscape, Redfield captures the true essence of spring--a time when nature resembles an artist's palette. Although the colors make this painting aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it is important to note that Redfield has captured a moment where the world around him, which most often was Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was at its best. Since he did not wish to do copy work or sketch his landscapes numerous times before painting them, we know that Spring Landscape depicts a very real and specific moment for Redfield. In essence, we are meant to view this painting through the artist's eyes and take hold of a rare and peaceful moment.

This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Edward Redfield's work being compiled by Dr. Thomas C. Folk.