Road in the Cuyamacas
ca. 1933-1934
Medium
Painting
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of Labor
Accession Number
1964.1.176
Tags
About this artwork
A narrow, winding path entices the viewer into this rocky wilderness in Southern California's Cuyamaca Mountains. Above the rugged peaks, clouds gather in formations that repeat those of the rocks below. Golden light streams down between the clouds, picking out a boulder here and a treetop there. Artist Charles Reiffel used bright dabs of red, orange, and blue paint to suggest sunlight sparkling on rain-wet stones and pine needles. It was this kind of spectacular scenery that had persuaded Reiff...
Art Historical Context
**Road in the Cuyamacas** *Charles Reiffel, ca. 1933-1934, Painting* Step into the rugged embrace of Southern California's Cuyamaca Mountains with Charles Reiffel's *Road in the Cuyamacas*. A narrow, winding path draws the eye deep into this rocky wilderness, where jagged peaks echo the swirling forms of gathering clouds overhead. Golden sunlight pierces through, illuminating boulders and treetops with vibrant dabs of red, orange, and blue—Reiffel's clever way of capturing sunlight dancing on rain-slicked stones and pine needles. This lively painting evokes the raw beauty that captivated ...