Zwicker's Gallery, Halifax
Private Collection, United States
The subject matter of "The Old Schoolhouse" chimes with the feelings of innocence and child-like exuberance of Maud Lewis’ paintings. More complex and layered, the scene showcases the busyness of the village in winter with children walking to school and villagers riding into town on their sleighs. Known for her intuitive knack for colour and form, Maud Lewis captures the thrum of the start of a new day in the village.
The inconsistencies of Maud Lewis’ work were undoubtedly intentional. She painted winter scenes with off-season foliage and colours because it pleased her. The artist was also unconventional when it came to light and shadows. Occasionally, Maud’s pictures would contain no shadows. In other paintings some objects would cast shadows while others would not. In “The Old Schoolhouse” we see this hallmark of Lewis’ style. Lewis prioritizes delighting the viewer over visual accuracy as some elements of the composition cast shadows, while others do not. The viewer can see the green hills are at odds with the otherwise snowy scene. However, this charming work wonderfully captures the imagination and interpretation of the artist’s life in Nova Scotia.
