Alex Colville
1920–2013 · Canadian · 28 artworks
Magic RealismContemporary RealismPrecise detailMathematical perspectiveSymbolic imageryLimited color palettesNarrative composition
artist bio
Alex Colville was a Canadian painter known for his meticulously detailed and often unsettling depictions of everyday life. His work blends realism with a sense of underlying tension and symbolism, contributing significantly to the Magic Realism movement.
what you'll learn
Studying Colville's work allows students to explore themes of isolation, anticipation, and the uncanny within seemingly ordinary scenes. Students can learn about composition, precision, and the use of symbolism to create narrative.
related: Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood
28 artworks
Pacific
1967
difficulty
Dog and Groom
1991
difficulty
Swimmer
1962
difficulty
Soldier and Girl at Station
1953
difficulty
Infantry at Nijmegen
difficulty
Woman, Man, and Boat
1952
difficulty
Living Room
2000
difficulty
Church and Horse
1964
difficulty
To Prince Edward Island
1965
difficulty
Man on Verandah
1953
difficulty
French Cross
1988
difficulty
Ocean Limited
1962
difficulty
River Spree
1971
difficulty
The Nijmegen Bridge, Holland
1946
difficulty
Stove
1988
difficulty
Snow Plow
1967
difficulty
Dog and Priest
1978
difficulty
Embarkation
1994
difficulty
Nude and Dummy
1950
difficulty
Woman on Ramp
2007
difficulty
Dog, Boy, and St. John River
1958
difficulty
Horse and Train
1954
difficulty
Surveyor
2001
difficulty
Family and Rainstorm
1955
difficulty
January
1971
difficulty
Nude with Arch
difficulty
Woman at Clothesline
1957
difficulty
Woman in Bathtub
1973
difficulty