Willard LeRoy Metcalf (American, 1858-1925). Old Willows, Waterford, Connecticut. Oil on canvas. 26 x 29 inches (66.0 x ...

Description

Willard LeRoy Metcalf (American, 1858-1925)
Old Willows, Waterford, Connecticut
Oil on canvas
26 x 29 inches (66.0 x 73.7 cm)
Signed lower left: WL Metcalf
Bears artist's estate stamp on the reverse

PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Dallas, New York, and Paris;
Private collection, Waxahachie, Texas, by descent from the above.

Willard Leroy Metcalf, a prominent American Impressionist landscape painter, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and spent his early childhood on a farm in Maine. This early exposure to the natural beauty of New England had a lasting impact on his work. He returned to Massachusetts to pursue formal art education, starting as a wood engraver and later apprenticing with George Loring Brown. During this time, Metcalf began producing illustrations for books and magazines, which sustained him financially as he developed his artistic career over the next two decades.

In 1883, Metcalf traveled to Paris to study at the Académie Julian, where he encountered a new generation of European landscape painters, the Impressionists. Their techniques, particularly the practice of painting en plein air, prompted Metcalf to shift from his earlier academic style to a more naturalistic approach, characterized by loose brushstrokes and spontaneous compositions. This period of study and travel throughout France, from 1883 to 1889, marked a pivotal transformation in his artistic development.

Upon his return to the United States, Metcalf settled in New York City, teaching at the Art Students League and the Cooper Union. His travels across the Northeast, particularly to Old Lyme, Connecticut, and Cornish, New Hampshire, inspired some of his most celebrated works. These artist colonies became essential to his later career, as Metcalf found in them the perfect settings to explore his connection to the New England landscape.

Old Willows, Waterford, Connecticut stands as a prime example of Metcalf's ability to capture the peaceful beauty of the Connecticut countryside. Painted during a period of deep inspiration from the region, the work is characterized by its balanced composition, with the lush greenery of the willows framing a charming white cottage and the gentle presence of a figure on horseback. The soft light filtering through the trees creates a sense of movement and time, evoking Metcalf's Impressionist training while celebrating the unique atmosphere of the New England landscape. His wisping brushstrokes and diffused light capture the essence of a quiet, partly cloudy day, offering viewers a glimpse of the Long Island Sound in the distance.

Metcalf's masterful use of light and color in this work reflects his deep connection to nature. The vibrant greens of the trees and grass contrast with the warm tones of sunlight, while the cool blues of the sky create a sense of calm. His expressive brushwork, informed by his years of study in France, captures the dynamic qualities of light and atmosphere, making the landscape feel both serene and alive.

Metcalf's legacy is rooted in his ability to blend the techniques of French Impressionism with his intimate understanding of the New England landscape. Old Willows, Waterford, Connecticut embodies his mastery of composition, light, and color, standing as a testament to his deep reverence for nature. His ability to capture the transient beauty of the natural world while imbuing it with emotional depth secures his place as a key figure in American Impressionism. This painting, like much of his work, offers a peaceful and contemplative view of nature that continues to resonate with audiences today.

This work will be included in the forthcoming Willard Leroy Metcalf Catalogue Raisonné Project Inc., under the direction of Betty Krulik with Dr. Lisa N. Peters and Deborah Spanierman.


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