Sold for: $28,125

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the Artist
By descent to a Private Collection, Vancouver
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, November 26, 2015, lot 142
Private Collection, Quebec

LITERATURE
Rosalyn Porter, The Group of Seven and Their Contemporaries, Kenneth G. Heffel Fine Art Inc., 1980, the oil sketch Saint Joseph de Lévis reproduced, unpaginated
Jennifer Watson, Albert H. Robinson: The Mature Years, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 1982, the oil sketch Saint Joseph de Lévis reproduced page 35 and listed page 36

The charming parish municipality of Saint-Joseph-de-Lévis, which Albert Robinson captured in this artwork, was once an independent region separate from the city of Lévis. Now a part of Lévis, it still retains its rustic character, boasting broad streets and a collection of well-preserved original structures. In this winter scene, Robinson skilfully portrays the parish with a palette of harmoniously similar hues, nestled between a snow-draped hillside and the expansive St. Lawrence River.

Robinson's adept handling of snow is evident in his delicate touches of pink and blue hues interwoven with the whites, lending the snow a gentle and inviting quality. In St. Joseph de Lévis, Quebec, he seamlessly blends the colours of the parish buildings into the snowy landscape and distant shoreline. This approach creates a unified and inviting portrayal of winter, in contrast to its often perceived harshness.

Like many landscape artists of his era, Robinson did preliminary oil sketches out of doors, working up canvases in the studio. In the oil sketch titled Saint Joseph de Lévis, the subtlety of Robinson's pastel accents and his cohesive palette conceal the challenges of plein air winter sketching. He honed his ability to work swiftly, capturing the desired atmosphere without succumbing to the biting cold. Interestingly, Robinson passed on these pragmatic sketching techniques to A.Y. Jackson. Both artists shared a deep affinity for the snow-covered rural landscape and were undeterred by winter's rigours.

In this exceptional canvas, Robinson's mastery of colour shines. The partially frozen St. Lawrence River is rendered in a deep blue green, effectively conveying the icy tranquility of winter while enhancing the chalky white tones of the scene. The composition adds to the artwork's allure, inviting viewers to gaze across the snowy hill's crest towards the village and the meandering riverbanks disappearing into the distance.

Beyond their serene aesthetic, Robinson's depictions of Quebec also serve as historical records of the townscapes of his time. Many of the architectural details, such as church spires, cupolas and rooflines, were captured with remarkable accuracy. Notably, Saint-Joseph-de-Lauzon Church and its surroundings, including the unchanged Saint-Joseph School and the domed École de musique Jésus-Marie, stand as testaments to Robinson's fidelity to the urban landscape.

Robinson's artistic style often draws comparisons to Canadian Impressionist painter James Wilson Morrice, and this particular artwork echoes Morrice's approach to colour and composition. Both artists found inspiration in Lévis, and a deep affection for the lower St. Lawrence River and its picturesque hamlets permeates their bodies of work.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars