A Room of His Own for David Milne, Canada’s Artistic Genius
Picasso is not the only artistic genius in residence at the Art Gallery of Ontario this summer. David Milne, widely regarded as one of Canada's greatest painters, now has a permanent room of his own in the southwest corner of the Art Gallery of Ontario, overlooking Grange Park. I really enjoyed visiting this beautiful Douglas fir-clad space, the David Milne Centre, designed by Thomas Payne of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects. The David Milne Centre spans two floors, and on display are oil paintings, watercolours, and archival items including letters, photographs, diaries, sketches, Milne's paint box and his painter's coat. You can go and visit it yourself, for free, with a Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass. Here, in David Milne's own eloquent words, is an explanation as to how he chose his subjects, developed his artistic technique, and even how he drew inspiration from books in the Toronto Public Library:
David Milne would no doubt be amazed at the value of his paintings today, and at his increasing fame. Born in 1882 in Bruce County, Ontario, he moved to New York City in 1903 to study and work, and exhibited five works there at the groundbreaking 1913 Armory Show. During World War I, David Milne painted in England, Belgium and France with the Canadian War Memorials program. He returned to upstate New York after the war, where he developed his unique artistic style. In 1929, he came back to Canada, and for most of the rest of his life he divided his time between Uxbridge and a cabin on the shores of Baptiste Lake, near Bancroft. Throughout his life, David Milne was passionate about nature and preferred to work in isolation.
Coming soon from the Art Gallery of Ontario will be the David Milne Collection, the first digital archive of its kind in Canada. You will be able to gain access to over 2,700 works and archival items belonging to the Milne collection.
9 thoughts on “A Room of His Own for David Milne, Canada’s Artistic Genius”
David Milne is quite an artist and it is wonderful that you feature his works on your blog. I quite enjoyed the video. I think I may have seen his collection at the AGO as I was looking at all the art there–there was just so much to cover! Thanks again for showing us what treasures we have here in Toronto. Have a Happy Canada Day weekend.
I am glad you enjoyed the video, and that you remember seeing some of David Milne’s work at the AGO – he has always been one of my favourite Canadian artists, along with Tom Thomson. We are indeed fortunate to have such treasures here in Toronto.
Yes, I agree! I love the art created by The Group of Seven. My personal favourite is Pic Island followed by Mount Lefroy by Lawren Harris. Tom Thomson is great too, but I have a particular soft spot for Lawren Harris’ more abstract paintings.
Thank you for sharing your favourite Lawren Harris paintings – they are both so meditative and inspiring.
Did David Milne ever sign his paintings other than David Milne?I bought a beautiful little watercolour sketch on paper and it is signed either GHA or CHA Milne. I know there is an Alberta photographer GHA Milne but don’t believe it is his work.
Hello Judy,
I checked for you in “The Classified Directory of Artists’
Signatures, Symbols & Monograms: American Artists with New
U.K. Additions” and the signature they have under the entry
for David B. Milne, born in Paisley, Ontario, is:
“David B. Milne” only. If you would like to pursue this further, you could go to the Toronto Reference Library, where they have more resources.
I recently purchased a pen and ink drawing of the Dalziel Barn 1809 Black Creek Pioneer Village with signature Bruce Milne. There is a sticky note on the back which says Jane St and Steeles Ave, North York Ontario. Dalziel Barn 1809 by Bruce Milne. BCPV = Toronto.I would appreciate any information about this drawing. Thank you.
Hello Susan,
For more information about your drawing, please contact
TPL by phone, email or chat at:
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/contact/
I also have a pastel watercolour by GHA Milne “52
Were you able to find out more about this artist?