Seven Crows 1980

Alex Colville’s "Seven Crows" presents a seemingly simple scene using egg tempera on board. Looking closely, you see that it is meticulously crafted. Colville's technique here involves layering thin glazes of pigment to achieve a remarkable level of detail. This is not unlike the work of Northern Renaissance painters, who prized precision and realism above all else. The crows, though seemingly identical, gain individuality through subtle variations in form. The intensive labor that went into this panel reminds us that making is always a form of work. The careful, almost obsessive accumulation of tiny brushstrokes has imbued this painting with its striking, almost unsettling realism. Considering the artist’s investment in process, we can appreciate how Colville has elevated a humble medium into a vehicle for profound expression. By understanding the making, we gain a deeper appreciation for this arresting image.