The painting “In the Garden” by Laura Knight is a cheerful hymn to the sun and summer

In the Garden is a 1909 painting by Dame Laura Knight. The artist depicted a young woman and two kids walking among the apple trees. At first glance, the viewer is immersed in the lazy atmosphere of a hot August day. The bright sun fills everything around. Golden rays penetrate through the foliage of trees and create an interesting black and white pattern on the faces and clothes of the characters. Thick, in some places dried up grass reaches the main characters almost to the knees. The trees are strewn with apples, and in the background you can see the figures of people who have settled down for a picnic.

The outfits of the characters are very simple: light light dresses and plain hats. People slowly wander through the garden, enjoying the summer heat. One of the babies is holding a ripe apple in her hand. The palette, which consists mainly of warm light shades, fills the viewer with a feeling of joy and warmth. With broad bold strokes, Laura Knight celebrates the beauty of the world around her, showing that happiness does not need much, it lies in the simplest things.

Name of the painting: “In the garden” (Eng. In the Orchard).
Author: Laura Knight (1877-1970).
Year of writing: 1909
Size: 60 x 49.5 cm.
Style: Impressionism.
Genre: Household.
Technique: Oil.
Material: Canvas.
Location: Private collection.

Laura Knight is the most famous British artist of the 20th century.

During her long life, she tried to work in various styles and techniques: from oil painting and watercolor to etching and engraving. In 1908, the artist and her husband moved to Newlyn, Cornwall, where she painted extensively outdoors and added finishing touches in the studio.

The local atmosphere had a very significant impact on Laura’s artistic vision. Abandoning cold colors, she filled her paintings with the sun and warmth, the frivolous atmosphere of a summer vacation. It was at this time that the painting “In the Garden” was painted. In terms of plot, it resembles the earliest works of Laura Knight, in which the artist depicted everyday scenes with kids, but differs in color. The whites and yellows capture the intensity of the sunlight on a summer afternoon quite accurately, while the blues and reds add a luminosity that gives the canvas a festive and cheerful feel.

Laura Knight’s “In the Garden” is a mesmerizing work from the Cornish period, which many critics consider highly significant in the artist’s work. A masterpiece at first sight evokes a feeling of happiness and makes the viewer return to a carefree childhood.