Greenland

Richard V. West writes: "Although better known for his oil paintings and illustrations, Kent was a prolific and skilled watercolorist. Most of his watercolors were painted on the spot during his travels, particularly in Ireland and Greenland, and were intended as studies. As a result, most remained in the artist’s possession during his lifetime, with the exception of a few finished examples acquired by museums and private collectors. Greenland is an excellent example of Kent’s ability to grasp the essentials of the arctic landscape and capture it with the vigor and immediacy of direct observation through the medium of watercolor.

Kent visited Greenland three times between 1929 and 1935. During his second sojourn, 1931-33, he traveled extensively with sled and dog team, frequently making watercolors to notate and capture images for possible future use. While this watercolor was apparently not used as the basis for a specific oil, it contains many of the elements that became the hallmarks of his Greenland paintings." (unpublished letter, dated January 27, 2015)

This painting will be included in the catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Richard V. West.

This work is included in Scott R Ferris's catalogue of artwork by Rockwell Kent (1882-1971).