Dr. Louis Bernard, Montreal
By descent to the present Private Collection, Montreal
Between 1941 and 1945, Fortin explored the Gaspésie region of Quebec. He discovered an entirely new terrain, full of meadows and hills, which replaced old stone houses as his primary subject matter. Fortin ventured through the entire peninsula as well as the mountains in the interior, always by bicycle. The artist was also fascinated by the various ships and sailboats in the harbours, which he depicts in “Études Barques, Gaspésie.” The pastel demonstrates his palette specific to his illustrations of the Gaspé region; his colours are muted and more sombre, in contrast to the bright greens of his prior works.
