The scene depicted in this work is the Halswell Quarry located on the Port Hills to the south of Christchurch. Lying within easy reach of the city, the hills were a favourite subject for William Sutton, who painted them frequently throughout his career. One of Canterbury’s foremost artists, Sutton painted in oils but was also a skilled watercolourist. After travelling in England and Europe during 1948 and 1949, he returned with a determination to show the essential qualities of the New Zealand landscape. Born in Christchurch, Sutton studied at the Canterbury College School of Art. He was tutored by many well-known Christchurch artists, including Colin Lovell-Smith (1894-1960), Archibald Nicoll (1886-1953) and Cecil Kelly (1870-1954). Sutton began exhibiting with The Group in 1946. He taught painting at the Canterbury College School of Art from 1949 until 1979.