lichen covered shale slabs 1930 James Edward Hervey Macdonald

The composition presents a dramatic vista dominated by layered rock formations. Here we observe a steep incline of shale slabs, densely textured and rendered with thick impasto strokes that emphasize their geological structure. The color palette is predominantly earthy – ochres, siennas, and russets – with subtle variations suggesting the presence of lichen or mineral deposits on the stone surfaces.
The artist has employed a technique that prioritizes form over precise representation; individual slabs are not delineated with sharp lines but rather suggested through shifts in tone and texture. This approach contributes to an overall sense of monumental scale and geological permanence. The lower portion of the painting is characterized by a chaotic arrangement of these shale fragments, creating a visual weight that anchors the composition.
Above this foreground, the rock face rises sharply, its planes catching light in a manner that suggests both depth and solidity. A sky, rendered in cool blues and greys with hints of white, provides a contrasting backdrop, further accentuating the warm tones of the stone. The brushwork here is looser, conveying atmospheric perspective and a sense of distance.
The painting’s subtexts likely revolve around themes of natures power and resilience. The sheer scale of the rock formations evokes a feeling of insignificance in comparison to geological time. The rough texture and earthy colors suggest an unyielding environment, resistant to human intervention. There is a palpable tension between the chaotic arrangement of the lower slabs and the more ordered structure of the upper face, perhaps hinting at the forces – erosion, tectonic shifts – that have shaped this landscape over millennia. The work seems less concerned with depicting a specific location than with conveying an emotional response to the grandeur and enduring nature of the natural world.