Henri Masson (1907-1996)
Bio
Henri Masson was born in Belgium and immigrated to Canada in 1921. Masson was first introduced to painting at the age of sixteen when he worked at a printing studio while attending classes at the Ottawa Art Association and the Ottawa Art Club. In 1945 he left his job as an engraver to paint full time.
Masson was first and foremost a landscape artist. He painted from nature starting the painting out of doors as a sketch and completing it in his studio. He worked in oil and watercolour. You can see in San Marco the landscape outline sketched in black ink. The vivid water colours were then added to create the overall effect which is dynamically happy. The piece, though done in the 1970’s is reminiscent of his paintings of the 1940’s when his palate was brighter. We don’t know where San Marco is so we had to buy the painting to go there.
Masson’s work is represented in numerous collections throughout the world including the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, NB, the Museum of the Province of Quebec, The National Gallery of Canada and the National Gallery of Venezuela.
Gallery Website
Works of Art
Artwork Information
San Marco (1979)
Ink and Watercolour on Paper
14.5 x 17.5 in (36.8 x 44.5 cm)
Provenance: Hodgins, Private Collector