Robert Reid (American, 1862-1929). Spirit in the Garden. Oil on canvas. 34 x 24 inches (86.4 x 61.0 cm). Signed lower ri...

Description

Robert Reid (American, 1862-1929)
Spirit in the Garden
Oil on canvas
34 x 24 inches (86.4 x 61.0 cm)
Signed lower right: Robert Reid
Titled on the reverse: Spirit in the Garden

Property from the Collection of a Distinguished Academic Woman

PROVENANCE:
ACA/American Masters Gallery, Los Angeles, 1966;
Private collection;
Sotheby's New York, May 30, 1985, lot 170;
Kurts Bingham Gallery, Memphis, Tennessee;
Private collection.

EXHIBITED:
Utah Museum of Fine Art, Salt Lake City, Utah, "Robert Reid, Impressionist Paintings and Mural Sketches," November 21, 1976-January 10, 1977.

In the canon of American Impressionism, Robert Reid's Spirit in the Garden emerges as a poetic exploration of nature's ethereal qualities, skillfully captured through the artist's impressionist technique. This painting reflects Reid's profound ability to suffuse his canvas with an air of mystique and otherworldly beauty, embodied by the solitary figure that graces the composition.

In the present work, a nude female figure sits amidst a profusion of rich, textured flora, gazing directly at her viewer. She appears as an integral part of the surrounding garden, almost as if she has emerged from the verdure, embodying the spirit of the place. Reid's brushwork is loose and vibrant, creating a tapestry of color that vibrates with life and light. The dappling effect of sunlight through the leaves casts a pattern over the figure and the setting, merging the two in a harmonious interplay of light and form.

This tableau is elevated by the inclusion of a single, upright candle, which adds a contrasting element of stillness to the dynamic swirls of color representing the foliage. The candle's flame is steady and seems to echo the inner light of the figure herself, suggesting a narrative of quiet introspection or communion with the natural world. The still life elements in the foreground may be symbolic, enriching the painting with allegorical depth.

Spirit in the Garden serves as a testament to Reid's artistic maturity and his sophisticated understanding of Impressionism's precepts. In this work, he not only presents an image of tranquility and beauty but also invokes a contemplation of the human condition within the greater cycle of nature. It stands as a particularly evocative piece within Reid's oeuvre, emblematic of his enduring quest to capture the intangible essence of light and the spiritual resonance of his subjects.


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