George Inness (American), “Early Moonrise, Florida.” Prominent “tonalist,” a landscape style some say began with Inness, but was also pioneered by James Whistler. Notice the key highlights –– the moon, the house, and the bright notes in the foreground. They form a constellation that animates the composition. The scene reminds me of a pasture that used to be on the south side of East McCain Blvd in North Little Rock, down the road from where I grew up. One summer night my crew and I went there, climbed over the fence and rode the owner’s horse bareback in the moonlight, clinging to the mane. No saddle, no reins. Those were days of miracles and wonder. About where the Lowe’s and the Chick-Fil-A are now.😕
George Inness, Early Moonrise, Florida
