The artwork titled “Horse and Train,” created by Alex Colville in 1954, employs the medium of tempera on board. As an exemplar of the Magic Realism art movement, it embodies elements of symbolic painting.
In this artwork, a solitary horse is prominently featured in the foreground, striding purposefully along railway tracks. The horse’s well-defined form is juxtaposed against the linear, mechanical precision of the railway, suggesting a compelling narrative about the convergence and potential conflict between nature and industrialization. In the distance, a train steams forward, its presence characterized by a plume of smoke and an overarching sense of momentum. The overall composition exudes a serene yet enigmatic atmosphere, enhanced by the artist’s meticulous attention to detail and the harmonious integration of the horse and train within the expansive landscape. The calculated use of tempera on board imbues the scene with a distinct texture and depth, further accentuating the artwork’s symbolic and allegorical dimensions.