| Henry M. Carlander | ||
| Birth Date: 1862 |
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Artist Gallery |
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| Henry M. Carlander was born in Sweden in 1862. Census records from 1892 show that he was living in New York at the time, where he has most likely immigrated to at some point. Over 1 million people from Sweden immigrated to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. Underneath Carlander's signature in the bottom left corner is written N.Y. '95, suggesting that this is a scene in 1895 New York.
“When School Was Out” depicts 19th century American small-town life. The shingle-style architecture and the many paned windows of the schoolhouse can be found in 19th century American architecture, as can the church and houses in the background. The architecture of the schoolhouse suggests a plain and economical community, one that is not given to extravagant expenditures when wood and shingle will do. The houses in the background are large and snug looking. The tall church steeple dominates the other buildings. The children look well-dressed but not excessively so. This is a prosperous town.
The painting celebrates the pleasures and pastimes of school-age children, all of whom appear to be the same age. This is the children’s playtime, and they spill out of the schoolhouse after school has ended for the day, ready for the fun that snow brings with sleds and snowballs in hand. Henry M. Carlander painted an idealistic scene; a world of solid educational and religious values, where childhood is full of adventure. |
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