In Near Lake Simcoe, Manly MacDonald depicts a quiet rural moment set within an expansive Ontario landscape. A hay wagon dominates the right side of the composition, piled high with golden sheaves that glow warmly against the broad, windswept sky. Two sturdy draft horses — one white and one dark brown — stand patiently in harness, their solid forms anchoring the scene. A farmhand rests beside the cart, while another figure is perched atop the mound of hay, suggesting the steady rhythm of harvest work.

MacDonald’s handling is loose yet deliberate. The golden field stretches outward in broad, sunlit planes of ochre and yellow, punctuated by gestural strokes indicating cut stubble. In the middle distance, low trees and a glimpse of blue water hint at Lake Simcoe beyond, giving depth and geographic context to the setting. The sky, brushed in horizontal bands of muted blues and creams, conveys a breezy late-summer atmosphere.

The composition balances stillness and labour. The horses stand quietly, their musculature simplified but expressive, while the cart’s dark wheel and harness lines introduce structural contrast. The overall palette is warm and earthy, offset by the cool blues of sky and distant water.

In this work, MacDonald captures not only the physical landscape of rural Ontario but also the dignity of agricultural life — a moment of pause within the broader cycle of harvest and season.