Artwork of the Week: Jan 5
John Whorf was a celebrated watercolorist whose skillful paintings brought everyday events and places to life. He began his study of art when he was only 14 years old and while honing his craft he studied under many notable artists including renowned painter, John Singer Sargent.
In this painting we see a downtown scene during the cold winter before the days of shopping online in the comforts of home. In the lower right men shovel snow off the walkway in front of the shops clearing the way for customers.
Whorf’s minimalistic treatment of the snow and sky might tempt a viewer to believe that the buildings and shoveling men are the dominant feature of this painting. But the scant attention paid by the artist to these spaces is intentional and creates the wintery atmosphere that envelops the town, causing the flurry of activity from the shovel-wielding men.
