Guylene Saucier – Au bord du trou, De Guylene Saucier

The composition presents a group of children engaged in ice fishing within a wintry woodland setting. The scene is dominated by a dark, circular hole cut into the snow and ice, serving as the focal point for the activity. Five figures are arranged around this opening; they appear to be young children, characterized by large eyes and simplified facial features that lend them an almost doll-like quality. Each child holds a fishing rod, their attention directed towards the water below. A dog sits patiently beside one of the children, adding to the sense of domesticity and shared experience.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing muted tones of blue, red, brown, and white to evoke the coldness and stillness of winter. The snow-covered ground provides a stark contrast to the darker hues of the trees in the background, which are rendered with loose brushstrokes suggesting depth and distance. Light appears diffused, casting soft shadows and contributing to an overall atmosphere of quiet contemplation.
Beyond the literal depiction of ice fishing, the painting seems to explore themes of childhood innocence, community, and connection to nature. The children’s expressions are largely neutral, yet their collective focus on the hole in the ice suggests a shared anticipation or hope. Their clothing – warm hats, scarves, and jackets – reinforces the harshness of the environment and the necessity for communal support during winter months.
The dogs presence further emphasizes this sense of companionship and belonging. The bucket positioned prominently at the bottom left corner could be interpreted as symbolic of potential reward or sustenance, hinting at a deeper connection between human activity and the natural world. There is an underlying melancholy to the scene; the children’s stillness and the muted colors contribute to a feeling of quiet solitude despite their togetherness. Its possible that the trou (hole) in the title alludes not only to the fishing hole but also to a deeper, perhaps emotional, void or uncertainty within the depicted world.