Moonlight (Night Scene)

Moonlit landscapes and encampment scenes made up the bulk of Blakelock’s work, and these were painted largely between 1880 and 1899. Landscape painting exhibits several trends and stylistic conventions that were noted in Blakelock's work. The subject matter is typical, while the compositional structure is also representative of many of his landscapes. The moon dominates the center; a dark band of color stretches across the foreground and trees frame the entire scene. Although the imagery is atmospheric, close observation of the canvas reveals a degree of detail. Like many of Blakelock's works this painting has a very high bitumen content that has precipitated cracking. He worked with an extraordinarily thick palette, often applying his paints with a knife. The overall effect is that of a visionary and a romantic. Often compared to George Inness and Albert Pinkham Ryder, Blakelock has been described as a "painter of the immanent."