An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
TwilightHale Woodruff (American, 1900–1980)
c. 1926
United States
71.8 × 85.1 cm (28 1/4 × 33 1/2 in.)
Oil on pressed paperboard
Through prior bequest of Marguerita S. Ritman
['Impressionism', 'Modernism']
['landscapes', 'Chicago', 'nature', 'light', 'painting', 'trees']
['painting', 'modern and contemporary art']
['oil paint (paint)']
['African Diaspora', 'African American artists']
Twilight, one of Hale Woodruff’s early paintings, is a vivid landscape that reflects his desire to define himself as a modernist. A scene of a small grove of trees backlit by an intense sunset, the painting exuberantly evokes the brilliant color of the Fauves (French for “wild beasts”). The artist applied bold streaks of pigment using fluid brushstrokes, drawing attention to the paint’s texture. Paintings such as Twilight inspired the acclaimed Harlem Renaissance author Alain Locke to praise the young artist: “Mr. Woodruff paints landscapes of originality,” with a “warm beauty” of color. Woodruff later became a highly influential muralist and educator, dedicated to promoting the works and careers of African American artists.
| attributed to Art Institute of Chicago under CC-By license
As the sun bowed down on the horizon, painting the sky in rich hues of amber and crimson, Hale Woodruff stood captivated by the breathtaking scene before him. It was in this twilight moment, where day kissed night, that inspiration took root in the artist's heart—a defining moment in his journey to embody modernism.
In the embrace of that picturesque landscape, a small grove of trees emerged, silhouetted against the fiery backdrop. The vividness of the colors seemed to leap from the canvas, reminiscent of the work of the Fauves, a group the French called "wild beasts." With each stroke of his brush, Woodruff infused life into the scene. He wielded his pigment with confident abandon, crafting not just a picture but an experience, his fluid brushstrokes dancing across the canvas like the very light that enveloped his subject.
As he captured the beauty of that twilight scene, it was clear that this was no ordinary painting. It was a dialogue between the artist and nature, a reflection of his inner quest. The boldness of the colors mirrored the fervor of a young man determined to express his identity and artistic voice.
Word of Woodruff's talent spread, and soon the acclaim reached the ears of Alain Locke, a literary luminary of the Harlem Renaissance. Locke would later extol the artist's gift, stating, “Mr. Woodruff paints landscapes of originality,” highlighting the “warm beauty” that radiated from his work. Such praise went beyond mere acknowledgment—it was a recognition of Woodruff's place in the ever-evolving narrative of art.
With each canvas he touched, Woodruff's mark grew larger. He ventured beyond the realm of individual pieces, eventually transforming himself into a muralist and educator, tirelessly advocating for the works of African American artists. His journey, sparked by that radiant twilight, culminated in a powerful legacy that would inspire generations to come, reminding us all of the profound connection between humanity, nature, and the stories we express through art.
About the artist
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