After having taken an art appreciation course, my curiosity about the stories behind pieces of art has increased. I often find, though, that much is unknown. The following is one of those cases; nevertheless, the time period fascinates me.
This particular piece is by Charles Harry Eaton and was purchased by the DIA in 1889. Eaton was born in Akron, OH and also lived in Detroit for a while.
The Lily Pond
The piece is large, crisp, clean and so very true to life. The intricate details draw me to sit and gaze every time. How does one make it look so real?
Each time I'm at the DIA I love to peruse through the Modern collection, as that gallery also houses art from the French Impressionist period, my favorite. I've always thought it a curious thing that this piece, and a few others, are amongst works by Degas, Gervex, and even Renoir.
Recently I did a little digging to see what I could find out about Charles Harry Eaton. Instead, what I found was that I had gotten so enamored with French Impressionism that I subconsciously (maybe?) thought impressionist art was the only thing going on in the art world in the late-1800s.
Interestingly enough, Eaton's work was exhibited in the very Paris Exposition from which most impressionist artists were banned. His artistic circles were primarily in the United States, far from the shakeup in France during that time. It appears that he was well-respected and part of a very supportive art community along the east coast throughout his career. He was described as a lover of nature; and, indeed, most of his pieces capture beautiful landscapes.
I couldn't find much about him, so I can't help but wonder about a couple things: What did he think of the impressionists? Was he aware of the stir they made in France?
The Lily Pond seems to be one of his more crisp and clean pieces. Was he influenced by the shift in France? Was he also interested in capturing fleeting moments in nature like the impressionists, as some of his other works seem to suggest?
The internet doesn't seem to be much help to me today. No answers.
Maybe a library trip is in order...
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