The Queue

A whimsical and bustling mid-century painting depicting a scene with a winding line of people, each captured in distinctive attire and posture, painted in oil onto board.

Capturing a lively cross-section of society as they wait in a winding queue, the figures are depicted in a delightful variety of attire from formal suits and military uniforms to bright dresses and patterned coats, as they snake across the snowy ground in an elegant S-curve and their colourful garments enlivening the cool, pale backdrop.

Executed in a naïve, narrative style, the work offers a playful yet observant glimpse into human behaviour and community life. The artist’s use of short, textured brushstrokes imparts an engaging sense of movement, while small dabs of colour suggest faces, gestures, and clothing details with economical charm. The light, neutral background allows the vibrant reds, yellows, blues, and greens of the crowd to sing, creating a joyful rhythm across the surface.

A particularly striking feature of this work is the way the composition subtly and playfully extends beyond the picture plane – figures at the lower right spill over into the surrounding rustic wooden frame. This unusual style blurs the boundary between artwork and frame, drawing the viewer further into the scene and giving the impression that the lively procession continues beyond the canvas itself.

This oil on board is housed in a wide-profiled distressed wooden frame which complements the painting’s vintage charm. Both painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition.

Size: 34.5 x 29.5 cm (including frame)