Back of Amelia Street, 1972

The Artist, Toronto Estate of the Artist Gadatsy Gallery, Port Dover Joyner, auction, Toronto, 1 June 2004, lot 197 Private Collection Gifted to Joan Murray Private Collection, British Columbia

This work was in Albert Franck`s estate when he died. He may have kept it for himself because it so perfectly expresses the subject he loved – Toronto backyards in winter. Amelia Street is in Cabbagetown, near the place he painted most, Yorkville, Toronto`s Greenwich village. Today, Amelia Street is called one of Toronto`s “most desirable” and known for its charming houses, called “enchanting” by realtors. Franck`s painting shows us a different side to the street once-upon-a-time. A nearby resident writes that this may be the laneway “between Sackville and Sumach Streets, not sure which laneway though... The lane south vs north of Amelia,” although the area has been extensively renovated. He adds: “We don`t seem to get snow like that anymore either!”