Upper Harlem River—Winter (circa 1915)

Ernest Lawson's evocative painting "Upper Harlem River—Winter" (circa 1915) captures a serene winter landscape along the banks of the Harlem River. In this artwork, Lawson employs his signature impasto technique, using thick applications of paint that give the scene a dynamic, textured appearance. The painting portrays a snowy vista, with delicate hues of blue and white dominating the canvas, reflecting the chill of winter.Foregrounding the composition are rustic cottages nestled among bare, slender trees, their architecture hinting at the early 20th-century period. The roofs of the buildings, dusted with snow, contrast with the stark, leafless branches, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold palette.Beyond the immediate surroundings, the Harlem River stretches across the middle of the painting, its icy surface mirroring the pale winter sky. The distant bank is lined with more dense habitation and recedes into a hazy, possibly industrial horizon, suggesting the encroachment of urban development on natural landscapes.Lawson's work not only captures the beauty and quiet of the Harlem River area during winter but also invites reflection on the interplay between nature and urbanization.