Artwork
Two Maples
Two Maples is an ink print by Bolton Brown. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Two Maples is a 1920 lithograph by Bolton Coit Brown, an American artist associated with the Woodstock Art Colony. The print depicts two tall maple trees in a wooded setting, characterized by expressive, rough-hewn lines and naturalistic detail.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Two Maples is a pair of mature maple trees in a forest clearing, surrounded by dry grass, scattered leaves, and low bushes. The emphasis on natural forms and the expressive technique suggest a celebration of the organic world.
Technique & Style
Brown employed quick, sketchy lines and a lithographic process to achieve a rough, naturalistic appearance. The twisted, branching tree trunks and the overall spontaneity of the drawing reflect the artist's expressive approach to printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1920, Two Maples is part of Brown's output within the early 20th-century American art scene, specifically tied to his involvement with the Woodstock Art Colony and the Byrdcliffe Colony, which he co-founded.
Context
Two Maples situates Brown's practice within the broader landscape of early 20th-century American printmaking, reflecting the era's interest in capturing the natural world through expressive, modern techniques.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Bolton Coit Brown (November 27, 1864 – September 15, 1936) was an American painter, lithographer, and mountaineer.
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