“Under the Elms,” a 1972 creation by Fairfield Porter, is an exemplary work of Contemporary Realism within the portrait genre. The artwork portrays a young figure standing outdoors under the canopy of dense, green foliage, characteristic of leafy elm trees.
In the foreground, a young boy is depicted in a frontal pose with a composed expression, clad in an intricately patterned vest that contrasts with the natural background. The backdrop showcases a lush green landscape, bathed in dappled sunlight filtering through the branches of the elm trees. The depiction of the trees and the boy is rendered with a simplification of forms and a vivid use of color, a hallmark of Porter’s stylistic approach. In the background, abstracted forms of a house and additional shadowy figures are faintly visible, adding depth and context to the setting. The deliberate composition and color choices in the artwork evoke a sense of tranquility and introspection, capturing a moment of stillness under the elms.
