Artwork
Among the Redwoods
Among the Redwoods is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Wallace Leroy DeWolf. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1920, *Among the Redwoods* is an oil painting by Wallace Leroy DeWolf, a Chicago‑based lawyer and businessman. The work is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection and presents a forest scene dominated by towering redwood trunks and a canopy of green foliage.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a dense stand of redwoods, their slender, reddish‑brown trunks rising vertically and clustered closely together. The forest floor is covered with brown earth and fallen leaves, conveying a tranquil, secluded natural environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in the manner of American Impressionism, the painting employs loose, fluid brushwork that captures the play of light across bark and foliage. A palette of earth tones—greens, browns, and subtle blues—creates atmospheric depth while maintaining a realistic level of detail.
History & Provenance
DeWolf completed the canvas in the early post‑World War I period, a time when American artists were increasingly turning to domestic landscapes. The piece entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s American art collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wallace Leroy DeWolf (February 24, 1854 – December 25, 1930), sometimes also written as De Wolf, was an American lawyer, businessman, philanthropist, and artist.
