Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Ernest Lawson died in 1939; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2009.
In context
Retrospection — Ernest Lawson
The original measures 64 × 77 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 66 at death.
Painted when the artist was 65. The artist lived to 66. 54 of the 57 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Ernest Lawson (1873–1939) ▲ this work, 1938 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1907 Main working years: 1907–1918 Late works: from 1918
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/ernest-lawson-retrospection-AS7TDM-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Gray #808a78
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 51.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 161 works by this artist, of which 58 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Retrospection — Ernest Lawson
The painting Retrospection by Ernest Lawson is a beautiful representation of the ocean with waves crashing against the shore. The sky above the scene is filled with clouds, creating a dramatic atmosphere. In the distance, there are two boats visible on the water, adding to the sense of depth and scale in the image.
Ernest Lawson was a Canadian-American artist known for his Impressionist style, which is evident in Retrospection. The painting features thick brushstrokes and vivid colors, creating a sense of movement and energy. The use of oil on canvas adds to the texture and depth of the piece. Key Features of the painting include:
The dramatic sky with clouds
The waves crashing against the shore
The two boats in the distance
Ernest Lawson was inspired by the natural beauty of the world around him. He believed that color should be used to depict emotions, and Retrospection is a perfect example of this philosophy. The painting is not just a representation of a scene, but also an expression of the artist's emotional state. You can find more information about Ernest Lawson and his artwork on AllPaintingsStore.com. The website features a wide range of handmade oil painting reproductions, including works by Ernest Lawson and other famous artists.
The Fort Ticonderoga Museum is another great resource for learning about art and history. You can visit their website at AllPaintingsStore.com to learn more about their collection and exhibitions.
Artist and museum
Born in Halifax, Canada
ernest lawson, a prominent figure in the american impressionist movement, was born on march 22, 1873, in halifax, nova scotia, canada. in 1888, he moved to the united states, settling in kansas city, and later, in 1891, he made his way to new york, where he enrolled in classes at the art students league. under the tutelage of john twachtman, lawson was introduced to impressionism, which would significantly influence his formative years.
lawson's style, characterized by a blend of impressionism and realism, was shaped by his interactions with various artists. he studied at the académie julian in paris in 1893, where he met jean-joseph benjamin-constant and jean-paul laurens. his plein air painting experiences in southern france and moret-sur-loing, where he encountered alfred sisley, an english impressionist, further enriched his artistic perspective.
in 1908, lawson joined the eight, a group of artists protesting the narrow tastes and restrictive exhibition policies of the national academy of design. this association led to a pivotal exhibition at the macbeth galleries in new york, which garnered significant media attention and sparked debate about the diversity of style and subject matter in american art.
city suburbs, one of lawson's notable works, is now part of the phillips collection in washington, d.c., showcasing his unique blend of impressionism and realism. (view at AllPaintingsStore)
another piece, approaching storm, also in the phillips collection, demonstrates lawson's mastery of capturing the essence of american landscapes. (view at AllPaintingsStore)
for more on ernest lawson and his contributions to american impressionism, visit his page on AllPaintingsStore.
lawson's understated yet vibrant style, described by art critic james gibbons huneker as originating from a "palette of crushed jewels," has left an indelible mark on american art. his participation in the eight and his unique artistic approach have made him a notable figure in the history of impressionism. key points: born: march 22, 1873, halifax, nova scotia, canada died: december 18, 1939 notable works: city suburbs, approaching storm influences: john twachtman, jean-joseph benjamin-constant, alfred sisley association: the eight style: blend of impressionism and realism
wahooart.com/en/art/download/ernest-lawson-retrospection-AS7TDM-en/
Look closely
Retrospection — Ernest Lawson
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The creation of "Retrospection" by Ernest Lawson is dated 1938.
"Retrospection" is available as a high-resolution digital image download, purchased directly on its Digital Image page.
Statistics about "Retrospection" by Ernest Lawson are on the artwork's Stats page: monthly visits of the artwork, visits of the artist's works, and country and language breakdowns of recent visitors.