David Bruce Milne Sold at Auction Prices

Painter, Illustrator, b. 1882 - d. 1953

(born 1882; died in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada 1953) Canadian painter. The youngest of ten children, David Brown Milne first aimed to become an illustrator and studied at the Arts Students League in New York from 1903 to 1905. He also worked as a window dresser and poster designer during this time. Deciding instead to become a painter, Milne achieved considerable success and had his works featured in the 1913 Armory Show. Milne lived in New York City until 1916 but became tired of the hustle of city life and moved to the rural town of Boston Corners in upstate New York to paint in the countryside. He did not stay long, however; in 1917 he enlisted to fight in World War I and although he never went into battle he was able to paint through participation in the Canadian War Records Scheme, which allowed him to record wartime experiences. While he painted figural and city scenes as well, Milne’s portfolio mostly consisted of landscapes for which he is most well known. Painting in a variety of media mainly comprising of watercolor and oil, Milne’s style can be described as austere and minimal in detail but his works nevertheless possess a tranquil grace to them. In 1929 he settled permanently in Ontario and continued to paint landscapes there until his death. Milne’s watercolors were featured in a retrospective at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and his art is included in the collections of such museums as The National Gallery of Canada and The British Museum.