Artwork
Above the Gravel Pit
Above the Gravel Pit is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Emily Carr. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1937, *Above the Gravel Pit* is an oil painting by Canadian artist Emily Carr. The work presents a rural scene where a shallow excavation occupies the lower foreground, receding toward a stand of trees under a sky marked by blue expanses and white, swirling clouds. The composition balances earth tones of the pit with the cooler hues of the forest and atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas juxtaposes human alteration of the landscape—a gravel pit—with the enduring presence of the surrounding forest. This contrast reflects Carr’s ongoing interest in the interaction between natural environments and the marks of industry, suggesting a dialogue between the region’s resources and its longstanding ecological character.
Technique & Style
While not a strict glaze, the layering of translucent tones contributes to depth, allowing underlying hues to emerge through subsequent applications.
Carr employs vigorous, expressive brushwork typical of her post‑impressionist approach, layering bold strokes of brown, gray, green and blue. The handling of paint creates a textured surface that conveys movement, especially in the sky’s swirling clouds. While not a strict glaze, the layering of translucent tones contributes to depth, allowing underlying hues to emerge through subsequent applications.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has been part of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s permanent collection. Acquired shortly after Carr’s death, it remains a representative example of her mid‑career output, illustrating her focus on British Columbia’s terrain during the 1930s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emily Carr (December 13, 1871 – March 2, 1945) was a Canadian artist who was inspired by the monumental art and villages of the First Nations and the landscapes of British Columbia.
