varley the sunken road c1919 Varley

The canvas presents a landscape dominated by a deeply scarred terrain. Here we observe a road, or what remains of one, seemingly collapsed and swallowed into the earth. The ground is rendered in thick impasto, utilizing a palette primarily composed of ochres, browns, creams, and muted greens, creating an impression of dampness and decay. The texture itself contributes to a sense of instability; the land appears not solid but fragmented, almost as if it might shift beneath observation.
A tunnel cuts through the landscape, its dark opening providing a stark contrast to the surrounding light. This feature suggests a deliberate intervention in the natural environment, perhaps indicative of infrastructure or human activity that has disrupted the original topography. Above this central element, a rainbow arcs across the sky, offering a fleeting moment of hope and beauty against the backdrop of devastation. However, its placement feels somewhat detached from the immediate scene below, almost as if it exists in a separate realm.
The artist’s brushwork is vigorous and expressive, prioritizing emotional impact over precise representation. The forms are simplified and abstracted, lending an ambiguous quality to the scene. Its difficult to ascertain the exact location or time period depicted; the landscape feels both ancient and contemporary.
Subtexts within this work revolve around themes of loss, disruption, and resilience. The sunken road speaks to a past that has been erased or buried, perhaps symbolizing trauma or societal upheaval. The rainbow, while traditionally associated with promise, is rendered in a way that suggests it may be illusory or unattainable given the surrounding desolation. Theres an underlying sense of melancholy and quiet contemplation; the scene evokes a feeling of witnessing something profound and irreversible. The painting doesn’t offer easy answers but rather invites reflection on the relationship between humanity and its environment, and the enduring power of nature to reclaim what has been lost.