The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 19, 2024
The Spinach Tree
1934
(American, 1867–1949)
Sheet: 39.4 x 50.8 cm (15 1/2 x 20 in.)
Location: not on view
Description
Although many American artists abandoned avant-garde art after 1918, Sommer continued to exaggerate form and color for emotional effect. This watercolor was likely inspired by his observations of rural life around his home in the Cuyahoga Valley. Although the site appears recognizable, his principal concern was creating lyrical designs that convey his inner thoughts and emotions. Like Charles Burchfield, his favorite motifs included suns, moons, and other cosmic forces that, according to ancient mythology, govern human destiny.- Burchfield to Schreckengost: Cleveland Art of the Jazz Age. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 28-July 18, 2004).Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; March 28 - July 18, 2004. "Burchfield to Schreckengost: Cleveland Art of the Jazz Age", no exhibition catalogue.Cleveland Art Comes of Age: 1919-1940. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 28-September 10, 1989).William Sommer: Master of Watercolor Painting. Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH (organizer) (March 3-April 15, 1979); The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO (July 7-August 12, 1979); University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA (August 31-October 14, 1979).Water Colors from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 23-September 16, 1973).Watercolors - [William] Sommer and [Henry] Keller. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 7-March 27, 1968).
- {{cite web|title=The Spinach Tree|url=false|author=William Sommer|year=1934|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1961.324