Lot 204: "Kathleen Moir Morris 1893 - 1986 Canadian oil on

"Kathleen Moir Morris 1893 - 1986 Canadian oil on panel Market in Winter, Berthierville, Quebec" "9 x 12 1/4 inches 22.9 x 31.1 centimeters signed Provenance:Mr. and Mrs. David Taylor, Montreal By descent to the present Private Estate, BC Exhibited:Galerie Walter Klinkhoff Inc., Montreal, Kathleen Morris, Loan Exhibition, June 1976, catalogue #56 Kathleen Morris's streetscapes were painted directly from life - with the artist bundled in furs, working en plein air - which is often unexpected, considering the tranquil languor of her compositions. We are inclined to imagine we are viewing an illusory landscape or the image of a precious memory, not the loud and busy towns in which Morris loved to sit and paint. She was truly a master composer, simplifying her compositions to include only the indispensable; allowing the viewer to concentrate on the joyous colour, abridged form and, above all, the undisturbed serenity of her scenes. Berthierville was especially beloved by Morris, who took seve al extended sketching trips to the town during the 1920s. The central market and taxi stand recur in her most distinguished paintings, examples of which are owned by the National Gallery of Canada and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Bold and spontaneous brush-strokes in this delightful panel define Morris's high esteem for her subject of drifting snow banks, noble horses and timeless Québécois streets. This oil sketch was later used by Morris to produce the important, large format canvas of this scene, formerly in the private collection of Kenneth G. Heffel. "