Artwork
The First Snow (no.2)
The First Snow (no.2) is an ink print by George Elbert Burr. It dates from 1926 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1926, *The First Snow (no.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1926, *The First Snow (no.2)* is a black drypoint print on wove paper by American artist George Elbert Burr. The image presents a tranquil winter street scene, where freshly fallen snow blankets the ground and sparse trees rise starkly against a light sky, their silhouettes suggesting the quiet of early snowfall.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of stillness in a cold urban setting. Bare trees, rendered as dark, finger‑like forms, contrast with the pale expanse of sky and snow, while faint footprints trace human presence. The work conveys the hush that follows the first snow, emphasizing the interplay of light, shadow, and the subtle marks of activity.
Technique & Style
Burr employed the drypoint method, incising lines directly into a metal plate with a sharp needle. Ink fills the resulting burrs, and when the plate is pressed onto wove paper, the ink transfers, producing soft, velvety lines that echo the texture of snow. The monochrome palette and delicate rendering are characteristic of Burr’s winter landscapes.
History & Provenance
The print is part of Burr’s extensive series of Western and seasonal scenes produced in the 1920s. It entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains on view. Documentation traces its acquisition to a mid‑20th‑century donation of Burr’s works.
Context
During the 1920s, Burr’s prints documented the varied terrains of the American West, ranging from arid deserts to snow‑covered towns. *The First Snow (no.2)* reflects his interest in atmospheric conditions and the subtle effects of light on landscape, aligning with contemporary American printmaking trends that favored direct, expressive techniques over elaborate detail.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Elbert Burr (April 14, 1859 – November 17, 1939 ) was an American printmaker and painter best known for his etchings and drypoints of the desert and mountain regions of the American West.
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