Frederick Stanley Haines Canadian, 1879-1960
Further images
Frederick Stanley Haines, Woodland depicts a quiet winter forest scene dominated by a group of tall, leafless trees whose dark, muscular trunks and twisting branches fill the foreground. The central tree stands broad and weathered, its bark built up in layered greys, browns, and deep blue-violet tones, with lighter patches suggesting age and exposure. Its branches extend outward in an intricate, angular network, creating a strong linear rhythm against the pale winter sky.
The snow-covered ground rolls gently through the scene, painted with cool blues and soft lavender shadows that give the surface depth and a crisp sense of cold. In the background, additional trees recede into muted purples and greys, their vertical forms thinning as they dissolve into the distance. Sparse grasses and low shrubs emerge through the snow, and a fallen branch or log at the right introduces a quiet note of natural decay.
The sky is subdued and atmospheric, washed in pale green-blue tones that contrast subtly with the darker trunks. Overall, the painting emphasises structure, line, and tonal harmony, conveying a contemplative winter stillness and an intimate observation of the woodland at rest.
Provenance
- titled and dated on label on reverse- Heffel Fine Art, Toronto