Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Spring

Thomas Wilmer Dewing, 1890

Name Class Date
Thomas Wilmer Dewing, Spring (1890). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
Thomas Wilmer Dewing artsdot.com/en/artists/thomas-wilmer-dewing/
Artist’s dates
1851 – 1938
Painted
1890
Original size
52 x 88 cm
Movement
Impressionism Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Thomas Wilmer Dewing died in 1938; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2008.

Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Aug. 25, 2026

Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing

How big is it?

The original measures 52 × 88 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1850
  2. 1860
  3. 1870
  4. 1880
  5. 1890
  6. 1900
  7. 1910
  8. 1920
  9. 1930

Shaded: the lifetime of Thomas Wilmer Dewing (1851–1938) ▲ this work, 1890

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/thomas-wilmer-dewing-spring-AQZHCQ-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Sap Green #636d46

    Catalogued palette

    • #636D46
    • #C7BFA6
    • #ABA57C
    • #8D8B63
    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Sap Green
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Aug. 25, 2026

    Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing

    The painting Spring by Thomas Wilmer Dewing is a stunning representation of the season's arrival, filled with vibrant colors and serene atmosphere. Created in 1890, this oil on canvas piece measures 52 x 88 cm and is currently housed at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in the United States.

    The Artist's Inspiration

    Thomas Wilmer Dewing was an American artist known for his captivating depictions of women in outdoor settings. His work often featured soft, feathery brushstrokes and a muted color palette, which gave his paintings a dreamy, ethereal quality. In Spring, Dewing showcases his ability to convey the beauty of nature through his use of light and color.

    The Painting's Composition

    The scene depicts a group of women in a lush field, surrounded by trees and grass. Some are standing, while others are seated on the ground, engaged in various activities such as playing games or simply enjoying the outdoors. The atmosphere is lively and full of energy, with a sense of freedom and joy emanating from the subjects. Two birds can be seen in the painting, adding to the overall sense of tranquility.

    Visit /en/art/show/art-aqzhcq-en/ to view a high-quality image of the painting

    Learn more about Thomas Wilmer Dewing and his work on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wilmer_Dewing

    Browse https://AllPaintingsStore.com for handmade oil painting reproductions of famous artworks, including those by Claude Monet and Heinrich Vogeler

    Handmade oil painting reproductions are a great way to own a piece of art history without the hefty price tag. At https://AllPaintingsStore.com, our team of skilled artists creates meticulous reproductions of famous paintings, including Spring by Thomas Wilmer Dewing. Each reproduction is carefully crafted to capture the essence and beauty of the original piece.

    In conclusion, Spring by Thomas Wilmer Dewing is a breathtaking painting that showcases the artist's unique style and ability to convey the beauty of nature. With its serene atmosphere and vibrant colors, this piece is sure to captivate art lovers and inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Aug. 25, 2026

    Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Thomas Wilmer Dewing

    Born in Boston, United States of America

    **early life and training**

    thomas wilmer dewing, an american painter, was born on may 4, 1851, in boston, massachusetts. his artistic journey began with a lithographic apprenticeship, which later led him to the prestigious académie julian in paris, where he studied under gustave boulanger and jules lefebvre starting from 1887.

    **artistic style and notable works**

    dewing's artistic style is characterized by his tonalist paintings, a genre deeply rooted in english aestheticism. his preferred subjects were aristocratic women, often depicted in moody, dreamlike surroundings, playing instruments or engaging in introspective activities. woman in black: portrait of maria oakey dewing (1887), a poignant oil on panel, showcases his wife, an accomplished painter with extensive formal art training. *lady in gold* (1912), now at the brooklyn museum, exemplifies his mastery of capturing the essence of his subjects.

    **teaching and associations**

    dewing was a founding member of the ten american painters in 1898 and taught at the art students league of new york. his association with the society of landscape painters, founded in 1899, further solidified his position within the tonalist movement.

    **legacy and collections**

    * the freer gallery of art at the smithsonian institution has a dedicated room for dewing's works. * notable collectors include john gellatly and charles lang freer.

    view thomas wilmer dewing's collection on AllPaintingsStore

    more on thomas dewing at wikipedia

    explore the freer gallery of art at the smithsonian institution for more tonalist masterpieces.

    **later life and death**

    dewing's artistic output declined after 1920. he passed away in new york on november 5, 1938, leaving behind a legacy of captivating, ethereal portraits that continue to intrigue art enthusiasts. *key works and collections available for reproduction at AllPaintingsStore: the white dress woman in black: portrait of maria oakey dewing lady in gold discover the world's most famous paintings with AllPaintingsStore's extensive collection

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Spring

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/thomas-wilmer-dewing-spring-AQZHCQ-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Dewing, Thomas Wilmer. Spring. 1890, https://artsdot.com/en/art/thomas-wilmer-dewing-spring-AQZHCQ-en/
    APA
    Dewing, Thomas Wilmer (1890). Spring [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/thomas-wilmer-dewing-spring-AQZHCQ-en/
    Chicago
    Thomas Wilmer Dewing. Spring. 1890. https://artsdot.com/en/art/thomas-wilmer-dewing-spring-AQZHCQ-en/
    Harvard
    Dewing, Thomas Wilmer (1890) Spring. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/thomas-wilmer-dewing-spring-AQZHCQ-en/

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Aug. 25, 2026

    Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Spring — Thomas Wilmer Dewing

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 3 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: pastoral scene, outdoor leisure, women in art. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at Comedia (1894), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.