Winter Afternoon, Doon

Collection of the Artist Acquired directly from the Artist by the present Private Collection, 1960s

Frederick Varley’s stylized landscapes underscore his skill in translating the essence of the subject through a warm and subtle palette. His personal use of colour became a trademark of his paintings and one that is still used by so many artists today, such was the lasting influence of his work. Here, the artist depicts a view of a church, seen through a screen of mostly bare trees. Taking into account the title of the work, the building can be identified as the Doon Presbyterian Church, with its distinct large Gothic window in the tower. The church opened in 1854 and still stands today in the Kitchener suburb of Doon. As a teenager, the owner of this artwork provided firewood to Frederick Varley during the 1960s, dropping off the wood at the McKay family home. At the encouragement of his parents, the owner purchased "Winter Afternoon, Doon" from Varley, the painting hanging in his home for sixty years.