John Walter Scott - Surprise on the Lake 26" x 29"

John Walter Scott (American, 1907-1987)
Surprise on the Lake, n.d.

Watercolor and gouache on paper
Paper: 26” x 29”
Frame: 35” x 28”

Signed Lower Left: John Scott

Small peaks loom gently in the background over the clear, tranquil waters of a mountain lake. The idyllic scene is intermittently punctuated by pine trees, which lend a rustic charm to the landscape in their irregularity. Amidst the peaceful setting, the striking contrast between old-world tranquility and the emerging pulse of modern-day America is evident; a small family in a sleek motorboat whizzes by, leaving a curving wake behind them, to the surprise of two fishermen in a dull-colored rowboat. The painting exudes a sense of a simpler past while acknowledging the alluring excitement of the future.

Provenance:
Heritage Auctions, Illustration Art, April 25, 2023, Lot 71426
Private Collection, Utah