On my @twelverainbowtrout Instagram page, I’ve declared this month “Evelyn March” and I’m celebrating by sharing some relevant props and set pieces.
THE ARTWORK AND ARTIST
If you look closely at the art on the walls of the Marsh mansion, you’ll notice a fox hunting motif. Two of the three themed pieces in the guest bedroom are too small to identify, but the large matted print above James Hurley’s bed is clear enough to confirm as Heywood Hardy’s “Autumn Meeting.” Though the painting’s name is printed on my replica, some listings call it “The Meet.” No title is shown in Twin Peaks.
Heywood Hardy was born in England in 1842, began painting at age 17, and had become a respected animal artist within a few short years. He was known for his equestrian portraits and hunting scenes. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact year it was made, but “Autumn Meeting” appears thematically and stylistically consistent with Hardy’s other works from the early 1900s.
APPEARANCES IN TWIN PEAKS
Hardy was frequently commissioned to paint for wealthy collectors, making this a perfect piece for the affluent Evelyn Marsh to display. Let’s take a look at this print’s appearances in season two.
We first see “Autumn Meeting” in episode 2012 as James meets Evelyn’s “brother” Malcolm. You can jot that down and put it under your pillow.
A quick sweeping shot across the room briefly shows the print again as James heads toward the window.
The clearest shot of this set piece comes in episode 2013 as Evelyn gets dressed and her silhouette is cast on the wall.
Lastly, the print is visible behind James as he packs his bags in episode 2014.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the excellent 1400 River Road blog, who has also written about this painting. We found each other’s writing online in October 2020 and discovered that we had both independently identified this piece at almost exactly the same time, their blog post going up as I waited for my replica to arrive in the mail!
