Lake and Mountains 1928

Lawren Harris’s ‘Lake and Mountains’ is a powerful landscape rendered with oil on canvas, a symphony of blues and whites. The composition is structured around stark geometric forms, with pointed mountain peaks thrusting upwards. The soft, billowing clouds create a dramatic contrast against the hard, crystalline shapes below, evoking a sense of awe and sublime grandeur. Harris was interested in theosophy, seeking to express spiritual truths through his art. The simplified forms and bold colors act as a symbolic language, attempting to capture the essence of the Canadian landscape rather than a mere representation. The dramatic lighting casts long shadows, creating a sense of depth and mystery, enhancing the emotional impact. Notice how the composition flattens the picture plane, bringing the background forward and creating a sense of immediacy. The image doesn't just depict a scene but invites us into a space charged with spiritual and emotional intensity. It is through such formal tensions that Harris transforms landscape painting into a profound exploration of consciousness and the divine.