The artwork “July” by Fairfield Porter, created in 1971, is an oil on canvas that exemplifies the Contemporary Realism art movement. With dimensions of 100 x 80 inches, this genre painting is housed at The Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, Kansas. The painting portrays a serene outdoor setting that captures an intimate moment of leisure.
The artwork features a group of figures relaxing amidst an idyllic landscape. In the forefront, white Adirondack chairs invite viewers into the scene, directing the gaze to the central figure: a person lounging comfortably with a book in hand. This individual is surrounded by others who appear engaged in quiet conversation. Rich tree silhouettes dominate the background, their dark forms contrasting with the light and airy colors employed for the lawn and sky. The composition is grounded in naturalism with a hint of abstraction, a hallmark of Porter’s style that blurs the line between the observed world and the painted surface. The artwork encapsulates a tranquil, yet dynamic, slice of life, highlighting Porter’s ability to infuse ordinary scenes with a sense of immediacy and warmth.