Sold for: $43,875

PROVENANCE
Douglas Duncan, Picture Loan Society, Toronto, 1943
Private Collection, Victoria

LITERATURE
George Elliott, "David Milne, 1882 - 1953 - His Hand Could Do What He Wanted It to Do", Canadian Art, spring 1954, pages 84 - 88
David Milne Jr. and David P. Silcox, David B. Milne: Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings Volume 1: 1882 - 1928, 1998, reproduced page 389, catalogue #206.2 and the verso reproduced page 382, catalogue #205.8, and a similar watercolour entitled House of Commons from the Gallery 1 reproduced page 389, catalogue #206.1

EXHIBITED
National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Paintings in Ottawa Collections, April 10 - May 6, 1959, titled as House of Commons in the list of works
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Paintings in Victoria Collections, February 1981

David Milne spent October 1923 to March 1924 in Ottawa, pursuing various purposes. He sought to earn enough money for a building project at Big Moose Lake in the Adirondacks, to work on his ties with the National Gallery of Canada (its collection included his war paintings), and to investigate the possibilities of exhibiting and selling his work. He met the National Gallery’s director, Eric Brown, who selected two of his paintings for the influential British Empire Exhibition at Wembley and ensured his work was acquired for the museum. Milne exhibited with the Ottawa Group, and he also mounted a large show at the Art Association of Montreal. However, during his time in Ottawa, busy working on his career, he produced only 16 paintings, primarily urban scenes. Three were of the House of Commons, including this fine watercolour – a rare depiction of this subject in Milne’s oeuvre – which showcases his ability to define the unique architectural space of this iconic Canadian political stage using elegant, simple lines.

On verso is a photo with the comment, "This night scene of Milne's shack (?) is on the back of House of Common's [sic] drypoint."

All prices are in Canadian Dollars