Church and Horse 1964

Alex Colville likely painted *Church and Horse* sometime in the late 20th century. As a Canadian artist who served as a war artist during the Second World War, Colville often depicted scenes of rural life with a sense of underlying tension or unease. Here, the stark white church, a symbol of community and tradition, is juxtaposed with a powerful black horse leaping over a fence. This juxtaposition invites us to consider themes of freedom versus constraint, nature versus culture, and the individual versus the institution. The horse, a creature often associated with strength and wildness, seems almost rebellious against the rigid structure of the church. This tension is palpable and emotionally evocative. Colville’s precise, realist style only heightens the sense of something slightly off-kilter, a quiet disturbance in an otherwise serene landscape. Does this painting uphold traditional representations or develop an alternative narrative? It seems Colville is questioning the narratives we tell ourselves about community, freedom, and the roles we play within society.