ARCA
1928 -
Canadian
Patinoire d'autrefois - dans le bon vieux temps, St. Henri
oil on canvas
signed and on verso signed, titled, dated 2005 and inscribed variously
16 x 20 in, 40.6 x 50.8 cm
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000 CAD
Sold for: $25,000
Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave
PROVENANCE
Galerie Walter Klinkhoff Inc., Montreal
Private Collection
This vivacious winter scene reflects John Little’s love for Montreal neighbourhoods. Here he captures the colourful, lively nature of working-class Saint-Henri—historically occupied predominantly by European blue-collar workers. After studying at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts school, Little began working as a draughtsman at his father’s architectural firm in 1951. When he turned to painting full time in 1953, this interest in architecture remained an integral part of his work. In Patinoire d'autrefois - dans le bon vieux temps, St. Henri (Skating Rink in the Good Old Days, Saint-Henri) he records the architecture of the area: its small sheds, its densely packed buildings and the long wooden staircases that connected their different levels. The ambience of the scene is palpable—wash hangs on the line and children play hockey on a backyard rink, showing the truly grassroots nature of this Canadian game. A soft blanket of snow accentuates the lines and angles of the buildings and their warm earth-toned colours, while the winter sky, grey yet bright, evenly illuminates the scene. All these elements make Patinoire d'autrefois - dans le bon vieux temps, St. Henri a classic winter painting from Little’s oeuvre.
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000 CAD
All prices are in Canadian Dollars
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