Wheat Stooks and Grain Elevator by Robert Newton Hurley is a 10 x 14.5 inch watercolour on paper that was produced in 1967 and is protected by museum glass. The piece depicts a sunny day in the prairies, looking out over the expansive fields of grain. Pyramid-like piles of wheat and barley, known as ‘stooks’, cover the pasture, dwarfed by the enormous clouds that envelope the sky overhead. Hurley utilizes a cheerful palette of saturated yellow and green that add a light and jovial mood to the piece. The tiny buildings in the background are made to seem even smaller by the vast space above.

Robert Newton Hurley was well known for his love of the prairies. His work is characterized by vibrant colours and a romantic portrayal of the sky. His paintings serve as a reminder of the beauty and majesty of this part of Canada.