RSA Scottish Art
The Long Afternoon
 | Artist: David P Evans |
| Title: The Long Afternoon | |
| Year: c. 1972 | |
| Medium: oil on canvas | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| © the artist | |
| Description: David Evans' work is characterised by a meticulous attention to detail, and unlike many of his contemporaries, he was not affected by the wave of interest in Abstract Expressionism.The Long Afternoon is a finely observed painting of a man in a landscape. He is standing on a road or possibly a racetrack. There are trees in the distance. Nothing is happening at the moment. The title suggests he is waiting. But where is he, what is he doing, and why? This visual puzzle asks us to examine how we understand time. Has something already happened and we are witnessing the aftermath? Or is something about to happen? Is there something happening outside the picture frame that explains this scene? A patch of sunshine is moving across the scene. Is the man simply waiting for the sun to come out, or is an important event about to occur?The long curving lines and soothing colour palette emphasise the sense of wide open space and potential this painting possesses. There is a strong indication of depth and perspective adding to the impression of being alone.The colour has been applied in an absolutely flat manner, without brush strokes. The uniformity of the surfaces adds to the mystery of the scene. Why is everything so blank and pristine? The mood of this scene is certainly mysterious. But it is also quiet, peaceful, and harmonious. This painting suggests a story of which the viewer knows almost nothing. But this provokes us to provide our own interpretation of the facts. If the title explained the story, or if it was obvious to us what was happening in the painting, there would be little of the mood of suspense which the painting evokes. | |
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