An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
The White Bridgec. 1895
Artist: John Henry Twachtman
American, 1853 - 1902
Landscape.
30 1/4 x 30 1/4 in. (76.84 x 76.84 cm) (canvas)
46 1/2 x 46 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (118.11 x 118.11 x 6.35 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
United States
19th-20th century
Gift of the Martin B. Koon Memorial Collection
In the 1890s, nestled within the lush embrace of Connecticut’s landscape, John Henry Twachtman found his sanctuary—a seventeen-acre farm in Greenwich where dreams took flight. As he settled into this new chapter of his life, he transformed his surroundings into a vibrant studio of exploration and inspiration. Each day, he wandered the rolling fields and meandering streams, letting nature guide his hand and ignite his creativity.
Among his many discoveries was a charming white footbridge, gracefully arching over a babbling brook that danced through his property. The gentle sound of water whispered tales of serenity as it flowed beneath the bridge, its path reflecting Twachtman’s evolving artistic vision.
Twachtman’s admiration for Japanese art found a profound expression in his work. The brook, with its strong, flowing diagonal, echoed the teachings of Eastern aesthetics. He played with visual space, compressing the world around him so that, though depths seemed shallower than they were, he led viewers on a journey—where some elements appeared close enough to touch while others receded into a soft, inviting distance.
Each stroke of his brush and caress of color was framed within a gilded border, elegant and original to the piece itself. This frame, believed to be designed by the acclaimed architect Stanford White of the renowned firm McKim, Mead & White, held not just a painting but the essence of Twachtman’s artistic journey. It connected not only his work to a rich architectural heritage but also the peaceful embrace of nature to the curated elegance of art.
In this harmony of bridge and brook, of paint and frame, the tranquil spirit of Twachtman’s artistry thrived, inviting all who gazed upon it to step into his world—a serene haven where stories were woven into every brushstroke.
About the artist
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