Furrows on the Snow 1924

Clarence Gagnon created this painting with oil on canvas to depict a winter landscape. The material qualities of oil paint—its viscosity and the way it catches the light—allow Gagnon to evoke the chill and brightness of the scene. Looking closely, you can see the furrows that give the work its name. These tracks, likely made by a horse-drawn vehicle, carve lines through the otherwise untouched snow. These are marks of labor, evidence of human activity in this seemingly pristine landscape. The parallel lines of the furrows contrast with the more organic forms of the trees and hills, highlighting the intersection of human intervention and nature. Consider the labor implied, not only in the scene depicted but also in the painting's creation. The repetitive brushstrokes, the layering of paint—each a deliberate act. Recognizing this invites us to think more expansively about art history, and appreciate the ways in which work and life are brought into view.