Saturday Art: "Spring" by John Lavery (b1856, d1941)

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“Spring" by John Lavery (1856 – 1941)

Looking at the title of the painting,‘Spring’, one would have expected the warm and vibrant colours associated with spring such as yellow, green or pink, however the painting here is predominant white. Even the walls and floor are almost colourless in grey. The only and perhaps the strongest association with spring is the bouquet of “baby’s breath” flowers held by the girl. These tiny white flowers on thin, wispy stems are typically spring time flowers, flowering from early spring to summer on the European continent.

The question remains on why Lavery, who was known for rural naturalism and his sophisticated landscape paintings, painted this supposedly ‘Spring’ picture that has almost a monochrome tone to it.  The answer could be the period in which he painted it.  The year was 1904 and it was the gradual decline of Realism and emergence of Impressionism/ Post Impressionism. A group of artists led by Claude Monet, Renoir, Edgar Degas revolutionised and liberated art from a focus on subject towards personal expression and study of creating. These Impressionist painters attempted to capture emotion, rather than detail. Visual harmony became more important than accuracy. Thus we see more of the transient effects of light and colour. Gone were the days of high finish painting using biblical, historical subjects.

As if to vindicate his incorporating the Impressionist style, we see Lavery doing this painting. Thus you see shades of Monet and more significantly, Whister, the most famous American painter outside the US.  He wielded considerable influence on the European art scene. His “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1”, (see below) better known as “Whistler’s Mother”, is variously described as an American icon and a Victorian Mona Lisa. Lavery was strongly influenced by Whister and was in regular contact right up to the latter's final days.

So we see in the painting the subtle graduations of tone between white and grey and the same delicate and restrained colour harmonies for which Whister was known and as evident in “Whister’s Mother”.  In the same way, Lavery’s ‘Spring’ composition is minimalistic with a muted colour palette, dominated by grey and white. But this precisely showcases the Impressionist artist’s mastery over light and shadow. Notice the subtle variations in tone creating depth and character in the subject's face. In ordinary terms what you see is a well balanced composition.

Irish born Lavery was a British Sate Artist, a well-connected socialite and very influential in diplomatic circles and international aristocracy. However just before his death in his memoirs he expressed a degree of shame at 'having spent my life trying to please sitters and make friends instead of telling the truth and making enemies'. An true artist who lives life intensely and portrays it truthfully, is more likely realise the truth than any other person.

Whister's Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1

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