Embarkation (1994) by Alex Colville

Embarkation - Alex Colville - 1994

Artwork Information

TitleEmbarkation
ArtistAlex Colville
Date1994
Art MovementContemporary Realism

About Embarkation

“Embarkation” is a painting created by artist Alex Colville in 1994. As part of the Contemporary Realism art movement, Colville’s work is a genre painting that captures everyday scenes with a high degree of detail and a sense of normalcy. This particular artwork exemplifies Colville’s style and thematic focus on the quotidian aspects of human life.

The image presents a bird’s-eye view of two individuals preparing for a boat trip. The person on the dock, dressed in a light-colored cap, khaki pants, and a gray sweatshirt, is seemingly reaching down towards the boat or the water. The second individual, dressed in a dark blue outfit, is inside the boat, attending to some object at the foot of the boat. The boat itself is white with a red interior detail, equipped with an outboard motor.

Colville’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the textures and patterns captured in the work: the grain of the wooden dock, the calm ripples on the water’s surface, and the realistic depiction of the boat. The colors are subdued, reflecting the serene, almost tranquil atmosphere typically associated with nautical scenes. The composition’s overhead perspective creates an intimate, yet distant observation of the quiet moment, inviting viewers to ponder the narrative and the relationship between the two figures.

This artwork is a fine example of Colville’s ability to infuse ordinary scenes with a sense of order and underlying tension, prompting reflection on the human condition and our interactions with our surroundings.

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