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"Love of Winter" is characterized by its energetic composition and vivid color palette. The scene in the painting is bustling with numerous figures engaging in a variety of winter activities, predominantly ice skating. The setting seems to be a frozen pond or lake surrounded by trees, with an expanse of blue sky above, hinting at a crisp and clear winter’s day.

The foreground is alive with movement: adults and children are depicted in various poses—skating, falling, gliding, and conversing. The way Bellows captures the figures in motion conveys a sense of immediacy, almost as though the viewer can hear the laughter, the scrape of skates on ice, and the calls of the children. Varying hues of white, blue, and gray in the ice and snow accentuate the cold yet exhilarating atmosphere.

Bellows' use of light is particularly striking; the white snow reflects the sunlight, while shadows play on the surface of the ice. The warm clothing of the figures—deep reds, greens, and blues—stands out sharply against the cool background, adding a sense of warmth and liveliness to the scene.

"Love of Winter" is part of the collection at the Newark Museum in Newark, New Jersey. This painting is a prime example of Bellows' robust brushwork and his ability to capture scenes of American life with both vigor and sensitivity.

George Wesley Bellows (1882-1925) was an American realist painter known for his bold, vigorous style and his keen interest in the vitality of American urban and rural life. He was a prominent member of the Ashcan School, a group of artists committed to depicting the raw, real-life scenes of working-class America.

Bellows painted "Love of Winter" after he had already gained renown for his powerful urban scenes and gritty depictions of boxing matches. During this period, he began to explore more varied subjects, turning his attention to the more serene and joyous aspects of American life. This painting stands as a counterpoint to his earlier, more austere works, showcasing his versatility and breadth as an artist.

"Love of Winter" can be seen as part of a broader movement within American art that sought to capture the spirit and vigor of early 20th-century life. The Ashcan School artists, including Bellows, found beauty and significance in everyday scenes, elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary through their keen observational skills and dynamic techniques.

Bellows’ ability to capture the fleeting effects of light and the spontaneous energy of his subjects aligns him with the Impressionist movement, although his work often retains a greater emphasis on narrative and social context.

In "Love of Winter," viewers can see Bellows' transition to a more colorful, almost Impressionistic style, as evidenced by the vigorous brushstrokes and the radiant depiction of light and color. This work not only exemplifies Bellows' skill as a painter but also his deep appreciation for the joys and rhythms of everyday American life, even in the brisk embrace of winter.