The Native Landscape Reader

“Landscape Art—An Inspiration from the Western Plains” (1906)

112 From The Sketch Book 6, no. 1 (July 1906): 21–28. JeNs JeNseN landscape art—an inspiration from the Western Plains (1906) Broadly speaking this is the beginning of the American Renaissance, the constructive period in more than one art. From a western view it is pioneer life. The composer tries to form his composition from real life as he sees it on our plains. His material is more than interesting, but as his art is in the developing stage, false notes appear constantly to his mind; his compositions are subject to them. He, himself, is a part of the existing conglomeration. Pitched to the highest key, such real life of the West may at times fall into a chaos of uncertainty not unlike the blending together of a dozen races in chorus. His markings may be few but they count nevertheless , and are destined to become part of a great and beautiful composition, national in product but international in character. Landscape art is subject to such influences as religion and climatic conditions. These direct the habits and customs of the people. Harmony in composition is as essential in landscape art as in music. It must talk to us and inspire the soul with good. It must be lovely, fascinating and sublime, yet quiet, restful and dignified in its make-up, awakening the finer senses to the noblest of impulses. Landscape art is seen at its best in the home and its surroundings. More thought has, perhaps, been bestowed upon the garden . Our gardens should reflect our lives; they should be a part of us, a part of our material and spiritual life. They should be a part of the landscape expressing those things which we admire and worship. Unpretentious, free from arrogant and vulgar expression, simple, charming, lovely, full of poetry and music, the composition must be perfect. Harmony in colors is essential. There is delight and joy in a perfect color contrast against a green background. There is purity in the quiet pool of crystal water and in the snow white lilies. There is music in the dripping water supplying the pool. There is poetry in the virgin bower safely hanging over the rocky ledge where tall lilies vie with the waters of the hur- landsCaPE aRt—an insPiRation fRom thE WEstERn Plains 113 rying brook beneath for a place behind dark, secluded cedars. There is inspiration in it all! And above all, the garden walk, which has been remembered in song and story and picture from time immemorial. A happy medium of distinct character and fascination, expressing well the old adage that there is nothing in this world worth having that does not cost some trouble. To preserve and refine that which nature has so generously given us and to which we should show our reverence, that which no human hand can duplicate and only the higher intelligence appreciate, that is our duty. The meadow landscape must be beautiful in spring like the song of the bird, quiet during the hot summer days and full of splendor when bidding us goodbye for winter rest. The parting tone, the grand encore, assisted, as it were, by the afterglow of the setting sun, produces one of the grandest panoramas of our prairie landscape. The meadow is the bright spot of the North, reflecting light and sunshine. It has forever become an indispensable part of the home of the North—the only place in the world where real home sentiment exists. The home is sacred to those so fortunate as to have it; it is their own, the most precious and beautiful possession any mortal being can claim. This sentiment must be reflected by the artist, the desire of seclusion and privacy, but without destroying the beauty from without. The material at the disposal of the artist is wonderful—land, sea, sky, with ever-changing colors and varied sky-lines, reflecting light and shade in endless variety . A beautiful picture must excel in good forms and color. Nothing is so fascinating as the light behind the immediate shade: the lining to the cloud; to some, the hope lincoln council ring, lincoln memorial Gardens, springfield, Ill. (Photograph by robert e. Grese.) 114 thE nativE landsCaPE as a souRCE of insPiRation beyond, which may be the greatest part of life itself; with its allurement of mystery, its enticement for reaching the goal beyond, yet withal, the futility of the...