Arthur Wesley Dow (American, 1857-1922). Desert Scene with Mountains. Oil on canvas. 18 x 22 inches (45.7 x 55.9 cm). Si...

Description

Arthur Wesley Dow (American, 1857-1922)
Desert Scene with Mountains
Oil on canvas
18 x 22 inches (45.7 x 55.9 cm)
Signed lower left: A.W. Dow

PROVENANCE:
Zaplin Lampert Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico;
Acquired by the present owner from the above.

Arthur Wesley Dow was an American artist, educator, and luminous figure, recognized particularly for his significant influence on the shape of American arts education in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Trained in Boston and Paris, Dow quickly stood out for his unconventional emphasis on design and composition rather than simple imitation, bringing him international acclaim.

In his groundbreaking publication "Composition: Understanding Line, Notan, and Color" in 1899, Dow outlined his innovative visual elements-focused educational philosophy that broke away from the traditional art teachings of the time. He believed in the emotional capability of abstract elements of art, such as line, color, and form, and promoted the aesthetic appreciation of these components as an end in itself rather than merely as a means to create a faithful representation of nature. These pillars of modernism and design influenced by Eastern print making principals are celebrated in Desert Scene with Mountains. In the present work, a spiritual and atmospheric landscape depicts the tranquil yet forbidding beauty of a sprawling desert nestled against the backdrop of cool-toned mountains. Rendered in earthy hues of terracotta, bronze, and deep indigos, the scene confers a sense of silent permanence, a stark juxtaposition against the ever-changing American West.

This outstanding example of Arthur Wesley Dow leverages his groundbreaking principles ruled by abstraction and harmony to express the profound quality of this wild frontier. The essence of Dow's work thrives in these landscapes, reflecting not just the purity of the untamed West but also a revealing snapshot of his revolutionary artistic philosophy.

We thank Frederick C. Moffatt for confirming the authenticity of this painting.


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