Painting of a crowd of well-dressed light-skinned people in an open, snowy field surrounded by large rolling hills. At center a woman in a bright-yellow coat and skirt holds the hand of a child in red, who pulls to turn her toward the others.

Love of Winter

1914

George Wesley Bellows American, 1882–1925

New York

In January 1914 George Bellows wrote to a friend, “There has been none of my favorite snow. I must always paint the snow at least once a year.” Soon after, on February 13, a major blizzard hit New York City, inspiring the artist to paint Love of Winter. He used bright reds, yellows, and greens to intensify the winter scene and broad, slashing brushstrokes to convey movement, wind, and speed. The energetic group of skaters and onlookers, composed of people of a range of ages and social classes, reflects the diverse populations who enjoyed the public parks and the leisure activities they offered in early 20th-century New York City.

Oil on canvas

Arts of the Americas