"Farmhouse and Autumn Trees," an oil on panel painting by Canadian artist DeWitt Drake, who lived between 1884 and 1978. The artwork is modest in size, measuring 9 x 10.8 inches, and features an estate stamp on the reverse, indicating its authenticity and provenance.

In this painting, Drake encapsulates the rustic charm of rural life against the backdrop of autumn's transformative beauty. The composition is rich with thick, impasto brushstrokes that give texture and vibrancy to the foliage in full autumnal flare. The array of warm colors—burnt oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows—contrasts beautifully against the cool purples and blues that hint at the approaching chill of winter.

The farmhouse itself is modestly depicted, nestled unassumingly in the distance, its white walls a stark contrast to the lively chromatic display of the surrounding trees. This dwelling sits in peaceful coexistence with nature, a testament to the artist's appreciation for the simple, unadorned beauty of the pastoral landscape.

Drake's mastery of light and shadow is evident in the way the sunlight seems to filter through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground and lending the scene a sense of depth and realism. The artwork, with its estate stamp, tells a story of its journey through time and place, its provenance linking it to D & E Lake Fine Arts in Toronto, as noted by Inventory #217.

"Farmhouse and Autumn Trees" is not just a painting; it is a window into the serene and bountiful season of fall, a time when nature adorns itself with a spectacular palette before the onset of winter's slumber. It is a piece that would bring warmth and life to any collection, appealing to those who find beauty in the simplicity of pastoral scenes and the rich tapestry of nature's cycles.