Jan Schmuckal (American, b. 1962)."Partly Sunny" oil on canvas, 2010. Signed by the artist on the lower right. An exquisite painting by Jan Schmuckal, executed in her signature style which elegantly resides at the crossroads between French Impressionism and American Tonalism. The composition features a central waterway flanked by groves of trees with reflections of the foliage and cloud-filled sky visible in the still water. Just where is this sight? We may never know. In Schmuckal's words, "Strength, mood and simplicity are my primary intentions, moreso than depicting a particular place or time." What is abundantly clear, however, is Schmuckal's ability to tap the mysterious spiritual quality of this simultaneously grand yet intimate landscape. Size of painting: 24" L x 24" W (61 cm x 61 cm) Size of frame: 28.875" L x 28.25" W (73.3 cm x 71.8 cm)
Jan Schmuckal's artistic direction was inspired by both Impressionism and Tonalism, quite fitting as Tonalism is oftentimes interpreted as the American counterpart to Impressionism. In the following statement, Schmuckal speaks of the centrality of light in her works; quite apropos as capturing light was at the heart of these art movements, "The changing light of day and the mood it evokes are the foundation of all my oil paintings. Each piece usually starts with a powerful, simple composition, which then evolves into a theme where strong light and shadow and deep color are within the primary subject."
Tonalism was an American art movement that emerged in the 1880s and was very much inspired by the French Barbizon movement. The Tonalists' approach was akin to that of Luminism - quiet scenes modeled with light that despite an undeniable stillness captured the radiance and grandness of nature. Schmuckal's allegiance to this 19th century movement is quite apparent. In fact, she ends her artist statement with the following quote by the important American Tonalist Henry Ward Ranger (1858-1916): "The Tonalist catches the laughter of shimmering light, and transmutes it into pictorial joy … With a simple palette, and as if by magic, he expresses breadth, teasing transparency, mysterious distances, the illusion of luminosity - in a word, the drama of air, light, and colour." (Henry Ward Ranger, 1914).
Provenance: Private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection
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#168220
Condition
Painting is in excellent condition overall and is signed by the artist on the lower right. Artist's handwritten inscription on the verso includes title and date as well as Geneva, Illinois - the location of her art gallery. Custom frame has a few minute nicks to periphery but is otherwise very nice, fitted with suspension wire, and ready to display.