Cragsmoor, New York became home to Charles Courtney Curran in the early 1900's, and it was here where the artist developed his true Impressionist style. According to Kaycee Benton: "The richly colored landscape of Cragsmoor in June, with the laurel blossoms in their full riot of vibrant rose-colored hues, was one of Curran's favorite settings to place his pretty models. Luenna Von Eltz is the model we see in the foreground of this painting wearing a hat with her scarf gently swaying along with the fresh mountain breezes. She was not only one of Curran's favorite models, but also a neighbor and friend of the entire Curran family. Curran's daughter Emily is the young girl dressed in blue kneeling amongst the sun-dappled laurel. These sun drenched canvases of Curran's utilizing the beauties of Cragsmoor, both figural and floral, clearly announce that they are the result of plein air work. Photographs exist of Curran under his big old umbrella painting in the fields and forests and on the cliffs of Cragsmoor."

This painting is listed in Curran's record book as Among the Laurel Blossoms, number 174-19, painted in June 1914. Alongside this entry Curran sketched a small pen and ink outline of the finished painting.
We are grateful to Kaycee Benton for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.