Sanderson, Ruth – Unicorns 08 (end Ruth Sanderson

The composition presents a solitary equine figure wading through shallow water, set against a backdrop of dense foliage and a muted sky. The animal, clearly identifiable as a unicorn due to the prominent horn projecting from its forehead, dominates the foreground. Its coat is rendered in shades of white and grey, with subtle highlights suggesting texture and movement as it strides forward. Water ripples around its legs, creating a sense of dynamism and interaction with the environment.
The surrounding landscape contributes significantly to the painting’s atmosphere. A thick band of trees occupies the middle ground, their forms blurred by atmospheric perspective and rendered in cool purples and blues. This creates a visual barrier between the viewer and the background, intensifying the focus on the unicorn. Above the treeline, the sky displays a soft gradient of pinks and lavenders, evoking a sense of twilight or dawn – a liminal space between day and night.
The color palette is predominantly cool, with the warm tones of the sky providing a gentle contrast to the cooler hues of the water and foliage. This interplay of colors contributes to an overall feeling of serenity and mystery. The light source appears diffuse, casting soft shadows and minimizing harsh contrasts, which further enhances the dreamlike quality of the scene.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore themes of purity, solitude, and the liminality between worlds. The unicorn, a creature often associated with innocence and grace, is depicted in an environment that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Its presence within the water suggests a symbolic cleansing or transition – a movement from one state to another. The obscured background hints at hidden depths and unexplored territories, inviting contemplation about the unseen realms beyond our immediate perception. The overall effect is one of quiet introspection and a sense of longing for something just out of reach.