In a 1921 letter to Rockford Art Guild (now RAM) the artist wrote, “It gives me great pleasure to have one of my finest and most important canvases hung in your permanent collection.” Russian Forest was one of his largest and most elaborate works of the period. Based on memories and sketches of his native Russia, this dynamic composition depicts a procession of sleighs careening through the snow-covered hillside. The forms of trees and villagers dissolve into near abstraction through the vigorous handling of the paint, creating a spirited, nostalgic memory of the artist’s homeland. Several days after expressing his thanks, Gaspard set sail for a two-year trek through Russia and China to gather inspiration for future works.
