Walter Klinkhoff Gallery, Montreal, before 1970 as “Landscape, Trinidad”
Private Collection, Montreal
Christie's, auction, Montreal, 3 May 1974, lot 91 as “Trinidad Landscape”
Private Collection, Ottawa
By descent to the present Private Collection
James Wilson Morrice was Canada’s preeminent Impressionist painter, who received international acclaim for his pictures. Morrice spent much of his life in France, painting Parisian street scenes, seaside towns in Brittany and the southern coast. His work embodies the trademark attributes of Impressionist painting: the preoccupation with light and colour.
Between 1888 and 1923, Morrice participated in over 140 exhibitions, which included the infamous Salon d’Automne of 1905. However, by the beginning of the twentieth century, Morrice had already made a name for himself. One of his works had been acquired by the French government, while another had been purchased by the Russian collector, Ivan Morozov.
Despite previous attributions to Trinidad, the work does not depict the Caribbean island, but may depict Le Pouldu, where Morrice painted in the summer of 1906. The work bears some similarities to the country landscapes that the artist painted on canvas board at that time. However, it could also date later, “circa” 1910, when the artist stayed in nearby Concarneau for many months, which had proved an especially productive stay for Morrice.
We extend our thanks to Lucie Dorais, Canadian art historian and author of “J.W. Morrice” (National Gallery of Canada, 1985) for researching this artwork.
