Morning Landscape from 1822. Again, an otherwise unremarkable scene filled with all sorts of prescience and intimations of larger things. There is a little touch of allegory, the shepherd leaning against the mighty ancient oak tree in the center foreground (and forms moved front and center in a picture usually recall sacramental religious imagery, things meant to be seen and contemplated as though on an altar or in an icon). But, that is only a kind of clue to remind us that this landscape is about far more than the enjoyment of scenery.
This is lovely. Even without knowing about the symbolism it moves me. And it looks a lot like some places I've seen in California in early spring!
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