The family of the late Mary Pratt is pleased to offer her portrait of celebrated Canadian author, journalist and historian Richard Gwyn ( May 26, 1934 – August 15, 2020) for auction, in support of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Winterset award. This work was painted from photographs taken in 1982, and completed around the year 2000.

The Winterset Award was established in memory of Sandra Fraser Gwyn, a loyal friend and ardent supporter of both Mary and Christopher Pratt. In the summer of 1982, Sandra and husband Richard visited the Pratt family in Newfoundland with Sondra and Allan Gotlieb and Edythe Goodridge, Director of Visual Arts with the Canada Council and a close friend of the Pratt family. Sandra would later write the introductory essay for Mary Pratt (McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1989) co-authored with the renowned Canadian Art historian, Gerta Moray.

In this very personal portrait, Richard is relaxing on the front steps of the Pratt family home at Salmonier; the steps and clapboard behind him have been scraped in preparation for fresh paint. A simple cluster of yellow daisies grows in the flower bed beside him. His posture is relaxed, as he is at ease in a Newfoundland setting close to his heart, so far from the uptight British culture into which he was born. His expression belies his casual pose as he is deep in thought, a shadow of concern shaping his eyebrows. The light watercolour gestures wash the piece with the airy brightness of a summer day, a moment of stillness in the life of one of Canada's most important thinkers and writers.

Please note: this work is unframed.