Pine Forest
Artist
Emily Carr
(Canadian, 1871 - 1945)
Datec. 1936
Mediumoil on paper
Dimensions60.8 × 91.4 cm (23 15/16 × 36 in.)
Frame: 82.5 × 113 × 2.8 cm (32 1/2 × 44 1/2 × 1 1/8 in.)
Frame: 82.5 × 113 × 2.8 cm (32 1/2 × 44 1/2 × 1 1/8 in.)
Credit LineThe Mendel Art Gallery Collection at Remai Modern. Gift of the Mendel family 1965.
Object number1965.4.9
Classificationspainting
Collections
On View
On viewPainter and writer Emily Carr stands out as a remarkable figure in Canadian art history. Despite geographic and artistic isolation in British Columbia, she had great determination and vision. Eventually, in her middle years, she received support from fellow artists, and produced an outstanding body of work that captures the spirit of the West Coast.
In all likelihood, Carr adopted the oil-on-paper sketching technique in 1930 as an alternative to sketching outdoors with watercolour, a medium that no longer seemed powerful enough to express her vision of British Columbia’s forests. The medium offered the advantage of portability, as well as the potential for great versatility. The low cost of materials encouraged great experimentation, particularly as she preferred painting en plein air. In Pine Forest, Carr employed a curvilinear design, leaving areas free of paint to show the paper support, which has darkened with age. In the foreground emerge several tree stumps, poignant evidence of the logging industry.
In all likelihood, Carr adopted the oil-on-paper sketching technique in 1930 as an alternative to sketching outdoors with watercolour, a medium that no longer seemed powerful enough to express her vision of British Columbia’s forests. The medium offered the advantage of portability, as well as the potential for great versatility. The low cost of materials encouraged great experimentation, particularly as she preferred painting en plein air. In Pine Forest, Carr employed a curvilinear design, leaving areas free of paint to show the paper support, which has darkened with age. In the foreground emerge several tree stumps, poignant evidence of the logging industry.
