Greetings Art Lovers,

This week we’re taking you back in time. David Rickert’s “Lake Harriet Benches” captures a distinctly past image from a recent memory we’ll all recognize. With just two criss-crossing benches, he translates a simpler, calmer America. Much like famed American painter Edward Hopper, David’s paintings are spare and precise. There’s a cinematic quality to his scene, balancing a unique perspective with dramatic light and shadowing. 

Lake Harriet is the jewel of Minneapolis’ three main lakes just outside of town. At the turn of the century, city dwellers would ride a trolley from the inner city to the lake to swim, sail, and fish.

Along the shore there’s a bandshell where free concerts are performed on weekends. The current bandshell is the fourth generation, as earlier ones were destroyed by fire or storms. When it still existed, David shot photos of the benches from the old turn of the century bandshell. He created this painting from one of those photos, saying he was attracted to the linear patterns created by the boards and the shadows.

These particular benches were destroyed in the 1970s, but through David’s painting they live on in a way. I suppose that’s one of the most beautiful things about art - documenting the past with feeling.

Artfully yours,

Bailey