Emotionally cool with the sense of the coming crisp weather, an estate along a still lakeshore has just the slightest suggestion of ripple across the water's glassy surface. An absolutely amazing artistic accomplishment to make this blend of diverse application techniques work so well together on one canvas. It appears that layers of color had to be blended to create the reflective water, polished down ever so delicately with a brush. In stark contrast, the tree trunks look like they are oil straight out of the tube and pushed along the canvas vertically. Heavy impasto, aggressive brushwork and even spots of bare canvas intentionally peeking through are all noticeable.
The painting contains multiple levels of appreciation, which must be viewed first hand to realize. While the artist has set the season, especially with the burnt umber and varied foliage, he chose to keep the exact lake unidentified in his original title. Perhaps the human figure, centrally near a small boat hull - in this viewer's opinion - would be the one to ask.
Thieme historically worked on scenes throughout the Cape Ann Peninsula, traveling about in a modified horse-drawn wagon he converted into an art studio. Likewise, later, he spent significant amount of time in Florida and the Caribbean. He still owns a reputation for establishing friendly relationships with locals and visitors alike, but would tolerate no interruptions while working at a canvas.
