Fine Art Tuesday

Laurits Andersen Ring born 1854 in Denmark and died 1933. Yes, you get to start your morning with a Danish.

His paintings captured the period as rural economies transitioned from wood and horses to coal, petroleum and electricity. 

Many of his paintings are winter scenes. This picture captures a sand-dune in the background and willow pollard in the foreground. "Pollard" is a sustainable harvest technique where the tree retains its trunk and branches are cut on a recurring basis. In many cases, the trunk is retained because newly emerging shoots are enjoyed by livestock and the trunk lifts them up, out of harm's way.

Alder coppice. The standing water discourages sheep and goats.

This is what pollard look like when they are not cut frequently.

I think I am seeing old, thatch roofs that sprouted with grass. The limbs at the peak of the roof keep the cap of straw from blowing away. The trees in the foreground are poplar and the season is probably late-October.

They are carefree now but you know their mamas are going to tan their hides for playing in the goose-poop (geese in background). Geese are useful in keeping grass short and ticks away.

Hunter or soldier? Any opinions? My guess is hunter looking for the occasional hare for the stewpot.

Plants on the window sill. The layered clothing suggests that wood was burned more for cooking than for space-heating

 

More evidence that inside spaces were not heated to the temperatures we now expect. The cardigan the old man is wearing is tattered and threadbare.

Church-yard. Beech tree in the background. Many monument trees in the Eastern US are in church yards and cemeteries. Interesting use of tile for roofing material.

Tip of the hat to Lucas Machias for the artist.