Beautiful winter and Christmas paintings

Winter warmth captured in fleeting moments
By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor

A Montreal painter, Richard Savoie, takes us into the still, cold beauty of winter. The people who live in the paintings turn away from us, making it feel as though we are paused in a moment. The peaceful solitude and warmth emitting from Savoie’s oil and pastel paintings demonstrate the best aspects of winter. Through the freezing cold darkness radiates pure orange warmth, light, and with it, love.

Claude Monet’s The Road to Giverny in Winter has a magical quality to it. Whether it is the notes of pink in the sunset, or the reflection of it on the snow, the painting beautifully contrasts the dreary atmosphere of the dull winter with the hidden warmth of the season peeking out behind the ever-grey clouds.

Floating Ice Near Vetheuil came about soon after artists had access to paint tubes, and you can tell. The water scene is dazzled with warm tones reminiscent of a sunrise bouncing off of every element in the painting. Monet is known to have done many paintings of the River Seine.

Thomas Kinkade’s specialty is Christmas and winter paintings—and they are all gorgeous. The emotion captured in Holiday Gathering presents nostalgia for the good ole pre-COVID days. The sense of coziness and community is at the heart of this scene.

Blessings of Christmas shows the meaning of family. The love, warmth, and cheer are represented by the cottage’s glow, and the gleeful stature of the snowman. The tree outside is topped with a star, and the marble walkway is inviting. You can almost smell the hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies.