“Vermont Study,” created by Rockwell Kent in 1920, exemplifies the American Realism movement through its landscape genre. The artwork vividly captures a scenic terrain with striking use of color and texture.
The artwork presents a mountainous landscape enveloped in hues of orange, purple, and blue. The peak of the mountain, covered in snow, stands prominently against a serene sky, which transitions from a pale blue near the horizon to a deeper shade towards the top. The mid-ground features soft rolling hills, painted in a gradient of warm earth tones, creating a dynamic contrast with the cooler colors in the background. A placid body of water at the base of the hills reflects the blue of the sky, adding a sense of tranquility to the composition. The foreground showcases bushes and trees portrayed with broad brushstrokes, adding texture and depth to the overall scenery. This painting encapsulates the natural beauty of Vermont through Rockwell Kent’s realistic yet expressive style.
