Edward Willis Redfield (American, 1869-1965) - Winter Holiday

painting

This painting will be included in the forthcoming Catalogue Raisonné of Edward Redfield's work being compiled by Dr. Thomas Folk.

Winter Holiday offers a view of the Centre Bridge region of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, just north of New Hope, where Redfield moved with his wife, Elise, in 1898. A narrow path—a compositional device employed regularly by the artist—leads viewers’ eyes from foreground to middle ground; beyond, the Delaware River flows diagonally to the picture plane. Bare trees flank the path on either side, their leafless branches granting a near unobstructed view of the river valley. True to fashion, Redfield renders the scene in thick, muscular brushstrokes. Icy blues, earthy browns, and a backdrop of mauve-colored hills suggest an appreciation for both site and season.

Redfield's mastery lies in his ability to translate the harshness of winter into a celebration of nature's beauty and resilience, transforming what could be a desolate scene into a lively vision of outdoor recreation. A pair of figures, sleds in tow, take advantage of the region’s undulating topography and a mantle of freshly fallen snow. One of the figures, further downhill, offers a cheery greeting to a group of fellow revelers. Redfield imbues the scene with a palpable energy, as if to confirm the potential for life and movement in otherwise still winter landscapes. The effects of sunlight on snow affords the painting a luminous quality, while adding both depth and dimension.

As was Redfield’s custom, Winter Holiday was likely executed en plein air. This technique allowed him to engage closely with the landscapes and locations he loved, and to cultivate a sense of narrative within his works. The human presence within the present painting adds an element of storytelling to the scene, inviting viewers to engage not only with the visual beauty of the landscape but also with the activities unfolding within it. Redfield's winter views capture the essence of the season and demonstrate his commitment to conveying the emotional and narrative complexities of the rural American experience in the early years of the 20th century.

The Artist, until 1959.

Acquired directly from the above.

By descent in the family, c. 1970.

Private Collection, Pennsylvania.