This image depicts "Beside Big Horn River, AB, 1978," a watercolor on paper by Canadian artist Alan Collier (1911-1990). The artwork measures 12 x 16 inches and is signed on the bottom right. It was painted on April 3, 1978, and comes from Collier Inventory #H25-(3 or 4), previously housed at Roberts Gallery, Toronto. The painting is encased in museum glass for protection.

The painting portrays a serene winter scene next to the Big Horn River in Alberta. Tall, slender trees stand stark against a backdrop of a muted, overcast sky reflected in the icy waters. The use of light and shadow creates a quiet, atmospheric quality, with the river acting as a natural mirror, blurring the line between the snowy riverbank and the water itself. The intricacies of the bare branches in the foreground are finely detailed against the snow, adding to the overall sense of calm and solitude of the winter landscape.

The color palette is subdued, with soft whites, blues, and grays dominating the scene, evoking the chill and silence of the season. This piece is a beautiful example of Alan Collier's ability to capture the essence of Canadian landscapes with a sense of realism and tranquil beauty.