The Isaacs Gallery, Toronto
Collection of Don Jean-Louis, British Columbia (a gift and most likely by artist exchange with Gordon Rayner)
The frame is original to the period and the Isaacs Gallery verso label suggests that it was exhibited. Rayner had a two-person exhibition with Joyce Wieland at The Isaacs Gallery in February-March 1959; his first with Isaacs. Jean-Louis’ first exhibition was in September-October 1961.
The monochromatic and expressive composition of Rayner’s Northern Landscape differs from his colourful abstract and painting collage work of the period, but stylistic comparisons can be made with Michael Snow’s gesture-abstract paintings of the period; Move, 1957, and Petrograd 1917, 1958 (both collection Art Gallery of Ontario). Northern Landscape is the earliest known Rayner to date.
We extend our thanks to Dr. Ihor Holubizky for researching this artwork and for contributing the above essay.
