The Dancer by John Wentworth Russell

Provenance:
Galerie d’art Michel Bigue, Saint-Saveur
Acquired by the present Private Collection, 2001

Literature:
Paul Duval, “Canadian Impressionism”, Toronto, pages 70 and 153

John Wentworth Russell studied at the Art Students League in New York, where he developed his distinct impressionist style before arriving in Paris in 1905. He lived in the French capital for over twenty-five years. Upon his return to Canada, Russell opened his own art school in Toronto. Paul Duval writes of the artist: “A strong individualist, Russell avoided joining organized art societies, and was often embroiled in controversy because of his outspoken comments.” He goes on to describe Russell as “a provocateur, defending his position on art and vigorously nettling opposing schools of painting”.

Russell had considerable success as a painter of portraits and figural scenes. This painting was executed in a range of shades of teal, repeated throughout the dancer’s extravagant dress and the background.