A superior work of the American scene painting movement, this composition by Jonas Lie offers a beautiful image of amazing coloration amongst the islands of coastal Maine, near Rockport, in a moment preserved in art. No fewer than five homes and 15 sailing yachts are counted in this picture.
Lie was continually inspired by the vibrant, light-filled atmosphere of the fashionable resort communities and artists' colonies along the New England coast, and the great majority of his works are of unidentified specific locations that he personally discovered. Throughout his prolific career he painted brilliantly colored images of the rocky coves and harbors throughout the Northeast that identify the region's dramatic shorelines. This work conveys his adeptness at depicting ambiance and mood with scintillating autumn colors of the trees and strong direct luminosity from sunlight.
This image portrays a colorful fleet of sailing vessels, cutter, sloops and schooners enjoying the late Summer calm of Maine. Soon enough, the bite of Winter will make it time to put away the recreational sail boats and either head for warmer climates or wait for the warmth to return. The afternoon sparkle on the surface of the water adds to its shimmering appeal.
