Print Collection

At the centre of the print, a solitary boy leans against a trunk, his posture relaxed and his gaze directed toward a modest boat drifting nearby. The stillness of the water and the gentle posture of the figure suggest a pause in everyday activity, inviting viewers to consider themes of youth, observation, and the calm rhythm of rural life.

Phillips employed a colour print process, likely woodcut or linocut, to achieve layered hues and clear outlines. The signed impression demonstrates careful registration of colour blocks, allowing the boy and boat to emerge sharply against the muted background. The stylized rendering of foliage and water reflects Phillips’s interest in simplifying forms while retaining atmospheric depth.

The print was produced in 1922, a period when Phillips was establishing his reputation for colour printmaking in Canada and abroad. The work bears the artist’s signature, confirming its authenticity as a limited edition rather than a preliminary sketch. It has been recorded in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, indicating its acquisition by a major public institution.

Created shortly after Phillips’s relocation to Canada, “The Dock” aligns with his broader exploration of North American landscapes and everyday scenes. The early 1920s saw a resurgence of interest in colour block printing, and Phillips’s practice contributed to the medium’s development, positioning the work within both a national and international printmaking dialogue.