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May Night by Metcalf, Willard Leroy

Metcalf, Willard Leroy · 1906

Willard Metcalf's 'May Night,' painted in 1906, holds a significant place in American art history. This tranquil oil on canvas depicts the home of Florence Griswold in Old Lyme, Connecticut, a hub for American Impressionists.

Observe the soft, ethereal glow on the building's columns and the delicate highlights on the trees to the right. Metcalf masterfully used a glazing method, layering thin washes of dark pigments to achieve this painting's depth and nocturnal luminosity.

In 1906, the Corcoran Gallery of Art made a groundbreaking decision: they acquired 'May Night,' making it their first-ever purchase of a contemporary American painting. This act was a pivotal endorsement of early 20th-century American art and the Impressionist movement. It validated Metcalf's work, which remains his most celebrated piece.

What do you find most captivating about this moonlit scene?

Details

It depicts the home of Florence Griswold in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
It depicts the home of Florence Griswold in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
The artist layered thin washes of dark pigments for luminosity.
The artist layered thin washes of dark pigments for luminosity.
Its dense foliage contrasts with the open space, framing the central building.
Its dense foliage contrasts with the open space, framing the central building.
Transcript

This quiet painting marked a major shift in American art. It depicts the home of Florence Griswold in Old Lyme, Connecticut. The artist layered thin washes of dark pigments for luminosity. In 1906, the Corcoran Gallery bought it, their first contemporary acquisition. This decision broke with tradition and validated American Impressionism. It became this painter's most celebrated work.