As the first leaves of autumn begin to drop, we bid goodbye to the warm weather, along with the art we have admired throughout the lengthy heatwaves. Moving on from the vibrant palettes and dynamic figures of summer, subdued tones, folkloric themes, and a comforting modularity usher in the autumn season. Here we recommend three artists to embrace the changing season:
Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock translated autumn in the most abstract way with Autumn Rhythm Number 30 (1950). Pollock merges the traditional colours of autumn in an unorthodox way, using his ‘drip’ painting method, with large and aggressive splats of thick paint on the canvas. The watery thin underlay of mustard yellow offsets the tactile and dense layers of paint that jut out of the canvas. Pollock’s translation of autumn is very much within the tradition of American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s, with larger-than-life canvases and an intensely abstract paint application conveying the strong emotions we experience in this season. The scale of the painting absorbs us within Pollock’s vision of autumn, creating a lyrical composition perfect for the autumnal months.
Amadeo Modigliani
Though Modigliani perhaps does not immediately spring to mind as a seasonal pick, his elongated figures sit languidly, with stylised blank eyes hinting towards an introspection we all are familiar with in the colder months of the year. Earthy hues characterise his sitters, often relying on a simple palette, reminiscent of autumn’s vibrant yellows and oranges. Occasionally, he offsets this warmth against a cooler background: an interplay which both emphasises isolation while evoking the comfort in it. As the days grow shorter, we might all learn to linger in our own company, perhaps while taking in the work of a great artist.
Annie French
From a little closer to home, Glaswegian artist Annie French’s intricate illustrations and engravings offer some whimsy to the gloomy season. A member of the ‘Glasgow Girls’ group, French’s work was informed by the Art Nouveau movement, as well as the Pre-Raphaelite style. Her soft palette and delicate florals take on a dreamlike quality, inviting the eye to a much-needed respite. Taking inspiration from fairytales, French evokes nostalgia in her nod to childhood storytime. You can see her work in person on a visit to the local National Galleries of Scotland here in Edinburgh.
“Autumn Painter” by edenpictures is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
