'Landscape Painter, Jamaica' by Vivian Virtue (An Analysis)
Photo by Claudel Rheault on Unsplash In this poem, the speaker observes an artist painting the Blue Mountains. First, the painter sets up his easel then his brush, likened to a hummingbird, moves from palette to canvas to create a vibrant and realistic representation of the Blue Mountains. The poem is also a dedication to Albert Huie (1920-2010), who was given the title 'Father of Jamaican Painting' and who became the first Jamaican to be recognised internationally for his prowess with the palette and paintbrush. His artwork focused on vivid portrayals of Jamaican landscapes and painting portraits of black Jamaicans and Jamaican life which were not typically the subjects of artwork. He was extolled for his discerning eye and his ability to showcase Jamaica's beauty. He inspired national pride for the country by using the strokes of his brush to influence how Jamaicans viewed themselves. Michael Manley, former prime minister of Jamaica, praised him for bringing the 'ma...