KATHRYN EARNHART | At the Butler Impressionist painting brings vibrant beauty

This day of remembrance and honor for the nation's veterans was, in the early 20th century, also known as "Poppy Day," so named for the acres of the bright flower that sprout spontaneously in fields that were the site of many World War I battles.
At The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, a masterwork by American Impressionist Robert Vonnoh (1858-1933) titled "In Flanders Fields-Where Poppies Grow and Soldiers Sleep" is a poignant reminder of the "War to End all Wars," and the sacrifices of many brave individuals.
Painted in 1890, the work was originally titled "Coquelicots." The beautiful composition features a heavy application of vermillion oil color, termed "impasto," and achieves the illusion of depth by the careful placement of three figures -- a young woman picking flowers in the foreground, and several children strategically positioned in the distance fields.
Exhibited in February, 1896 in New York City, the work was praised by the New York Times as having "... achieved capital results in the matter of vibrating color, light and astonishing brilliancy."
Shown again
"Coquelicots," renamed "Poppies" by Vonnoh, was not exhibited again until it appeared in 1914 at the National Academy of Design in New York City. In 1915, when the work was shown at an International Exposition in San Francisco, it garnered the artist a gold medal. By that time, the artist's signature and original date had been removed, and the picture had been resigned by Vonnoh with a copyright date of 1914.
By 1919, when the Butler Institute acquired the picture, the work had achieved its current titled via a suggestion by J. Massey Rhind, a sculptor and the Institute's first curator. The title "In Flanders Fields -- Where Soldiers Sleep and Poppies Grow," agreed to by Vonnoh, was a reference to the German invasion of Belgium during World War I, and to the then-popular 1915 poem, "In Flanders Fields," by the Canadian surgeon, John McCrae -- written from his direct observations on that battlefield.
The painting, which was included in the Institute's inaugural exhibition in 1919, is now permanently on view at the Butler with the McCrae poem displayed alongside it.
Also on display
On view beginning Saturday through the rest of November are 90 works in all media by local artists included in the juried 68th Area Artists Annual Exhibition. A preview will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, open to participating artists and Butler members. Call (330) 743-1107 extension 117 to reserve for the event.
There is still time to order tickets for the Beatles tribute band AbbeyRoad performance at the Butler from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Free parking is available for the event in nearby YSU lots. Stop by the Butler in Youngstown or call (330) 743-1107, ext. 122 or 123 for advance tickets at $15 per person. (A limited number of tickets may be purchased at the door for a $20 charge.) Proceeds benefit Butler free programs.
Holiday event
Mark your calendar now for the annual Butler Christmas fine arts and crafts show, An American Holiday, on Dec. 4-5. In addition to the best of works for sale from over 100 vendors, the event features entertainment and great food. Butler galleries will be filled with holiday decorations, wearable art, pottery, jewelry, books and gifts in every price range. Enjoy lunch in the Butler's new Winslow's Caf & eacute;. A preview party for Butler members and guests will be Dec. 3. Call (330) 743-1107 extension 210 to reserve for the Christmas event preview.
XButler hours in Youngstown are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Butler hours at the Trumbull branch are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Butler Salem hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admission to all facilities is free.