The artwork, “Surveyor,” was created in 2001 by the artist Alex Colville. This piece is an example of Contemporary Realism and is classified under the genre of genre painting.
In “Surveyor,” the composition presents a solitary figure engaged in the act of land surveying. The surveyor, dressed in a red and yellow high-visibility vest and helmet, is depicted using a theodolite, an instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. The figure stands against a serene and expansive landscape, characterized by soft rolling hills, a meandering river, and a vast body of water, all under a sky with a gentle, mottled cloud cover. The precise detail and calm, reflective ambiance of the scene reflect Colville’s meticulous realist style, capturing a moment of quiet diligence in the midst of nature. The painting invites contemplation of the relationship between human activity and the natural environment.