Four Figures on Wharf 1952

"Four Figures on Wharf" is a 1952 painting by Canadian artist Alex Colville. The work depicts four figures standing on a wharf overlooking a body of water. The figures are rendered in a stark, simplified style, with smooth, white surfaces that contrast sharply with the dark blue water. The painting's composition is both balanced and unsettling, with the figures arranged in a seemingly random order. Colville’s painting exemplifies his signature style of realism, characterized by its meticulous detail and focus on the mundane aspects of everyday life. It evokes a sense of mystery and introspection, leaving viewers to ponder the meaning of the figures' presence on the wharf.