Bookmaker Gilding Leather Near Ottawa River at Dusk

Sodium-vapor light casts a warm amber hue over a riverside landing in Ottawa during late autumn. A bookmaker stands at a small portable table, focused on applying gold leaf to a worn leather book cover. The clear night sky stretches above, against the soft glow of city lights beginning to illuminate the background. The leather texture catches the metallic sheen of the gold, while the person wears a heavy coat suitable for the cooling season. Nearby, the dark water of the river reflects the distant urban glow. The gold leaf rests delicately on the embossed surface, catching the artificial light with a sharp, bright edge against the deep brown leather.