In early March of 1890, Levitan went abroad for the first time. For two months he traveled to Berlin, Nice, Menton, Paris, Venice and Florence. How fortunate for us - here he has painted the same vista twice. Remember Pete and Repeat: Can you spot the differences? I'll leave you to it.
Averil King describes these paintings: "...the mountain valley effervescent with the blossoms of fruit trees, while tall snowy peaks loom in the distance." What a good word choice, effervescent, which we might use to describe champagne, soda or spring water.
Anne Bradstreet was the first female writer in England's North American colonies. Reflecting on winter and spring, she wrote:
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
In the second image, we might place ourselves along Levitan's life-path to consider our own transitions from personal winter to spring. Sometimes the spring is early; sometimes late. The spring might settle in gradually, with advances and setbacks. I remember my anxiety when, as a young, show-shoveling priest, I saw a robin flying wildly in a blizzard at night.
But later I discovered that God's nature-plan provides for that moment: the Hemlocks offer shelter and a hiding place. And when the ground is frozen or covered with snow, the robins resort to sumac until the earth is free and soft again.
But later I discovered that God's nature-plan provides for that moment: the Hemlocks offer shelter and a hiding place. And when the ground is frozen or covered with snow, the robins resort to sumac until the earth is free and soft again.
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| Sumac: Emergency Food |
