The World from PRX

Flying Kites, Montmartre, 1906 | William James Glackens

What spring looks like through the eyes of artists

It’s the time of year when people are itching to shed their layers of clothes and take a deep breath of that fresh spring air. We want outside. Over the years, artists have taken inspiration from the season and applied it to their craft. If you’re filled with anticipation for the real arrival of spring, you’ll love these selected artworks from The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Arts
SDSteven Davy

Flying Kites, Montmartre, 1906 | William James Glackens

Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

After a crushing winter, few things are more timely than images from spring from around the world. Here’s a selection from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Antibes, Afternoon Effect, 1888 | Claude Monet
Antibes, Afternoon Effect, 1888 | Claude MonetCourtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, about 1830–31 | Katsushika Hokusai
Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, about 1830–31 | Katsushika HokusaiCourtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Passion Flowers and Hummingbirds, about 1870–83 | Martin Johnson Heade
Passion Flowers and Hummingbirds, about 1870–83 | Martin Johnson HeadeCourtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Springtime in France, 1890 | Robert William Vonnoh
Springtime in France, 1890 | Robert William VonnohCourtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Valley of the Creuse (Sunlight Effect), 1889 | Claude Monet
Valley of the Creuse (Sunlight Effect), 1889 | Claude MonetCourtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Flying Kites, Montmartre, 1906 | William James Glackens
Flying Kites, Montmartre, 1906 | William James GlackensCourtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

On Thursday the National Gallery in London asked a question on Twitter: What are your favorite #PaintedLondon scenes? Melanie Skinner had a great response that fits well here:

Following in Melanie's excellent example, lets have some fun — what's your favorite spring-inspired art? Let me know on Twitter @sdavy and drop in the hashtag #SpringArt.

And if you like these spring-inspired artworks, here's something for your calendar. If you're in Boston during the last weekend of April, the MFA is hosting it's annual Art in Bloom event where garden clubs and professional designers create floral arrangements inspired by the museum's works of art.