Muriel Swanson

1940s Modernist Mountain Landscape Painting- Gunnison, Western Colorado

1947

This vintage 1940s oil on canvas painting by Colorado artist Irene Fowler (1884–1969) beautifully captures the vibrant autumn landscape of Boulder Canyon. With a masterful eye for color and atmosphere, Fowler presents majestic mountain peaks framed by glowing Aspen trees in their fall brilliance, their leaves shimmering in radiant shades of gold, orange, and red. The scene reflects both the serenity and dramatic character of Colorado’s rugged wilderness, offering a timeless vision of the Rocky Mountains. Fowler’s keen observation of light and painterly brushwork bring the landscape vividly to life, evoking the crisp mountain air and golden glow of a Colorado autumn day. Her ability to balance natural grandeur with intimate detail makes this work an exceptional example of early 20th-century Western American painting. The painting itself measures 22 ¼ x 18 ¼ inches and is presented in a custom gilded frame with outer dimensions of 25 ¼ x 21 ¼ x 1 ½ inches, enhancing its elegance and making it ready for display. Signed by the artist in the lower right corner. About the Artist: Irene Fowler (1884–1969) was a pivotal figure in Denver’s early 20th-century art community. Born in Illinois, she later settled in Colorado, where she became both a respected public school teacher and a founding member of the Denver Artists Guild (now the Colorado Artists Guild). Best known for her en plein air landscapes, Fowler captured the beauty of Colorado’s mountains, Aspen groves, and mining towns with an extraordinary sensitivity to light, color, and atmosphere. She exhibited widely throughout her career, including at the Schlier Gallery, Chappell House, University Club...

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