Written by Jocelyn Boigenzahn, Curatorial Intern
George Bellows (American, 1882 – 1925), Emma in an Orchard, 1916, oil on canvas, 30 1/8 x 38 ¼ in., Purchased with funds from The Cummer Council, AP.1980.1.1.
Bellows is best known for his energetic scenes of city life. In contrast to these works, the paintings that he created during his summers in Maine and Rhode Island depict the bright leisurely days of summer. In this painting, Bellows captures his wife Emma bathed in the summer light of Camden, Maine, a favorite vacation spot of the Bellows family.
Bold and broad strokes of violet and green contrast with the focused and narrow brush strokes that form the portrait of Emma. This contrast presents Emma as a serene and focal point amidst the flurry of paint and color, grounding the work and allowing the bold strokes of the background to convey the energy of the moment.
