Autumn, Eastern Townships

Berthe Des Clayes has depicted an early autumn scene in the Eastern Townships, east and southeast of Montreal. A red wagon is hitched to a team of horses, standing near the entrance to a barn, possibly waiting for a load. Note the brown horse characteristically positioned on the outside of the white one, a choice one can also observe in the work of F.S. Coburn. Without this, the white horse would be lost. In the background, we see the main farmhouse.

The human elements create a genre scene, but the focus of the painting is the autumn light and colours, which suited Des Clayes’ impressionist style. Two trees in the foreground are in full autumn dress, giving away the season. Des Clayes has painted a cloud in soft pink and yellow tones, and the light hits the various elements from the left side, a suggestion of the indirect light of northern autumn.

Des Clayes was one of three highly talented artist-sisters from Scotland. She lived in Montreal from 1912 until 1919-1920, and then again from 1931 until 1951.