Robert Genn
Robert Genn
1936 - 2014
FCA
Robert Genn’s paintings are characterized by bold brush-strokes of simplified shapes and vibrant colouring. Though often compared to the Group of Seven, Genn dedicated himself to the development of a personal style, carving out his place in the tradition of Canadian landscape painting.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1936, Genn’s talent was recognized early, and he was encouraged by his father, who was a painter in his spare time. Robert developed his skills in art by sketching birds and other subjects, and by setting up a small business painting lettering on boats. From 1957 to 1959, he attended the Art Center School in Los Angeles, where he studied industrial design for over two years, before returning to British Columbia to try a career in advertising. It was not until he moved to Vancouver, renting a studio on Pender Street, that he decided to become an artist. He sold his first paintings through the Art Emporium, which enabled him to begin moving away from commercial work to painting full time.

In 1964 Genn married Carol Shimozawa, and they toured Europe for a year and a half, at one point renting a hotel room in Fuengirola, Spain and transforming it into an art gallery. Back in Canada the couple settled in White Rock, British Columbia, where Genn set up a studio. In the 1970s Genn continued to explore and capture his home province of British Columbia. He pioneered a genre of heli-painting - being dropped by helicopter onto remote plateaus - which enabled him to reach the remote regions of Banff national park where he and other artists could retread the footsteps of J.E.H. Macdonald and Lawren Harris, while also discovering new vistas.

Genn authored several books about his life and work and founded the blog The Painter’s Keys which offered quotes, advice and reflections from the artist’s experience. His work is represented by several galleries and is held in public and private collections in Canada and internationally.
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Charlotte's Rebirth by Robert Genn sold for $22,500
Robert Genn
Charlotte's Rebirth
36 x 48 in, 91.4 x 121.9 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $7,000 - $9,000 CDN
Sold for: $22,500 CDN (premium included)
Artists of the West Coast on Thursday, January 28, 2021
Above the Midden by Robert Genn sold for $11,875
Robert Genn
Above the Midden
30 x 34 in, 76.2 x 86.4 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,875 CDN (premium included)
Artists of the West Coast on Thursday, January 28, 2021
A Sea Stack, Carmanah Beach, on the West Coast Trail by Robert Genn sold for $11,250
Robert Genn
A Sea Stack, Carmanah Beach, on the West Coast Trail
30 x 34 in, 76.2 x 86.4 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,250 CDN (premium included)
West: Modern & Contemporary Works by B.C. Artists on Thursday, September 26, 2019
Big Country, Haida Village, QCI by Robert Genn sold for $11,250
Robert Genn
Big Country, Haida Village, QCI
29 3/4 x 46 3/4 in, 75.6 x 118.7 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $7,000 - $9,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,250 CDN (premium included)
West Coast: 20th Century & Contemporary Art on Saturday, June 02, 2018
Tsimshian Atmosphere by Robert Genn sold for $11,250
Robert Genn
Tsimshian Atmosphere
24 x 30 in, 61 x 76.2 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,250 CDN (premium included)
Artists of the West Coast on Thursday, January 28, 2021
Tsimshian Pattern by Robert Genn sold for $10,625
Robert Genn
Tsimshian Pattern
30 x 34 in, 76.2 x 86.4 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $10,625 CDN (premium included)
Artists of the West Coast on Thursday, January 28, 2021
Charlotte's Light by Robert Genn sold for $10,000
Robert Genn
Charlotte's Light
20 x 24 in, 50.8 x 61 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $10,000 CDN (premium included)
Artists of the West Coast on Thursday, January 28, 2021
At Cullite Creek on the West Coast Trail by Robert Genn sold for $9,375
Robert Genn
At Cullite Creek on the West Coast Trail
30 x 34 in, 76.2 x 86.4 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $9,375 CDN (premium included)
September 2017 - 4th Session on Thursday, September 28, 2017
Summer Blow by Robert Genn sold for $8,125
Robert Genn
Summer Blow
30 x 36 in, 76.2 x 91.4 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $8,125 CDN (premium included)
The Great Outdoors: A Selection of Landscapes on Thursday, January 27, 2022
Skeena Counterlight by Robert Genn sold for $7,500
Robert Genn
Skeena Counterlight
20 x 24 in, 50.8 x 61 cm
acrylic on canvas
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $7,500 CDN (premium included)
Like Family: The Collection of Dr. Luigi Rossi on Thursday, March 27, 2025