In the artist’s powerful landscape The Source, he used an engaging mix of both brushwork and palette knife to render the towering trees standing sentinel over snow-capped boulders and a gently flowing, partially thawed woodland brook. While the scene depicts the frosty air and overcast skies of winter, passages of red and umber tones in the distance, and scattered among the rocks and swirling water, add a bit of warmth to the composition. As one of the artist’s largest paintings, he understandably chose to exhibit it at both the National Academy of Design in 1924 and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1926.

More information about this painting...

Provenance:

The artist

To collection of Judge Simpson (possibly Judge Alexander Simpson, Pennsylvania), 1926

Eventually to private collection by the 1930s

By descent within the family for two generations to private collection, Gilford, New Hampshire

Consigned with Vose Galleries, Boston, inventory no. 37050, September 2018 – August 2019

Returned to private collection, then of Salem, New Hampshire, 2019 until 2024, when he passed away

To the private trust of the above collector

Labels:

1. (on frame, most is missing) National Academy of Design (rest is gone)
2. (on top stretcher) The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts / One Hundred and Twenty-First Annual Exhibition / 1926 / Title: The Source / Artist: John F. Carlson N.A. / Return Address: (illegible) Packing + Ship (1237 stamp on label)
3. (stamp on stretcher) Ex. P.A.F.A.
4. (stamp on canvas) Victor Claessens / Waereghem / Belgique / Made in Belgium

Exhibitions:

1. 99th Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, March 22 – April 20, 1924, no. 264 The Source
2. 121st Annual Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, January 31 – March 21, 1926, no. 64 The Source (illus.)