Goodnight Moon: Yves Scherer

Ever since Yves Scherer became a father, he has read to his daughter. He keeps returning to the eponymous book by Margaret Wise Brown, Goodnight Moon, illustrated by Clement Hurd. The book, first published in 1947, has become an iconic bedtime story for children growing up in America. In this story, a bunny wishes goodnight to various inanimate and living objects in its bedroom, including two kittens lounging on the carpet and the moon seen through a window. 

Featuring an image of the moon seen through a window, the paintings are nearly uniform in composition, with structure given by 9 window panes. The works balance a formal reminiscence to the systems of abstract painters such as Stanley Whitney or Sean Scully with "representation" paintings of the moon or the view through the window, which has been a recurring trope through the centuries - from Pierre Bonnard to Anne Craven.

The full moon can only be seen from the Earth roughly once per month, its shape appearing fully illuminated by the Sun. Unlike its other iterations, the shape of the full moon mirrors that of the Sun. This relationship is amplified by the color choice Scherer makes - looking at the paintings for the first time, we may need clarification on whether the scenes depict daytime or nighttime. The lunar phase of the full moon symbolizes completion, that is - the end, but also a new beginning.

In Goodnight Moon, Scherer paints the scene in various shades of orange. This choice highlights the reflective properties of his expression, a focus on the deep exploration of a singular moment - a calming exercise. One encounters orange just before the apex: it is bold and energizing without overwhelming the senses, warm but not alarming. Like a full moon, it is a harbinger of change, the beginning of a new cycle.