13 x 15 x 1 in (33 x 38.1 x 2.5 cm) including frame
John Young Johnstone, a member of the Beaver Hall Group, was known for capturing the quiet, lived-in character of his home city. This small oil study, Old House, Montreal, feels like an intimate, firsthand glimpse into a winter day in 1918. Rather than a formal portrait of a building, it is a quick, expressive recording of heavy snow on familiar rooftops and the warm red of a cart parked on a snowy street.
The thick brushstrokes and small scale give the work a personal, sketch-like quality, as if Johnstone painted it quickly to catch the specific light of the moment. The lone figure in the corner adds a touch of human presence to the cold urban scene. It is a simple, direct observation that highlights Johnstone’s deep connection to the older, atmospheric corners of Montreal.
Walkers Auction December 2016, Lot 20
Mayberry Fine Art, Winnipeg
Private Collection, Vancouver
John Young Johnstone
John Young Johnstone was a Canadian Impressionist painter and a significant figure in the Montreal art scene during the early 20th century. Born in Montreal on November 12, 1887, he began his formal artistic training at the Art Association of Montreal under the tutelage of William Brymner, RCA. Seeking further international experience, he traveled to Paris, where he continued his studies at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière under the guidance of Lucien Simon and Émile-René Ménard. During his time in Europe, he also visited and painted in Switzerland and Belgium, further refining his technical approach to light and atmosphere.
Upon his return to Canada, Johnstone established himself as a dedicated practitioner of landscape and genre painting. His work frequently documented the rural landscapes of Quebec and urban scenes of Montreal, including notable depictions of the city’s Chinatown. He was an active participant in the artistic community, holding memberships in the Beaver Hall Group and the Pen and Pencil Club of Montreal. In 1920, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (ARCA). Beyond his studio practice, he contributed to art education in Montreal, teaching at institutions such as the Monument National between 1918 and 1928.
Johnstone’s career was marked by a distinct focus on simplified realism influenced by Impressionism, often characterized by a subdued palette and a sensitivity to the atmosphere of his subjects. While he achieved professional recognition during his lifetime, with his work acquired by the National Gallery of Canada, his later years were marked by personal instability. In 1930, he traveled to Havana, Cuba, where he died shortly after his arrival at the age of 43.
Today, his work is held in the permanent collections of major public institutions, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. He is recognized by historians for his contributions to the development of early 20th-century Canadian modernism and his documentation of the Quebec landscape.
Major Spring Fine Art Auction
May 7 - May 28, 2026
661 Wall St, Winnipeg MB
(204) 255-5690
mayberryfineart.com
[email protected]
Contact us to make an appointment to preview this item or to sell similar works.
|
Bidding Range
|
Increment
|
|---|---|
| $0.00 - $50.00 | $1.00 |
| $50.00 - $100.00 | $5.00 |
| $100.00 - $500.00 | $10.00 |
| $500.00 - $1,000.00 | $25.00 |
| $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 | $50.00 |
| $5,000.00 - $10,000.00 | $100.00 |
| $10,000.00 - $20,000.00 | $200.00 |
| $20,000.00 - $50,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $50,000.00 - $100,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| $100,000.00+ | $5,000.00 |
Login or register a BidLots.com account to participate in any auction. Track specific lots and artists with real-time notifications on all bidding activity.
Bidding approval requires three simple steps:
1. Create a Bid Lots account
2. Confirm your email address
3. Create a valid billing profile
Bid Lots and/or the auctioneer may choose to revoke your bidding privileges if your account is not in good standing or your activity is in conflict with our standard terms and conditions of sale.
The buyer’s premium is an additional percentage charged to the winning bidder. The buyer’s premiums may vary from auction to auction, typically ranging from 10% to 20%. Buyer’s premiums will be displayed on detailed lot listings and paddle registration forms.
Bidding begins at the reserve price and advances at set increments based on the bidding range. The specific bidding increments may vary from auction to auction, however the next bid and subsequent increments will always be clearly defined on detailed lot listings. Maximum Bids and Single Bids can only be placed within the pre-defined bidding increments ensuring that no two bidders can place identical bids on an item. View individual lot detail pages to see a complete range of bidding increments for that item.
Requests to cancel a single bid are at the sole descretion of the auctioneer. Maximum bids can be increased but cannot be decreased unless premitted by the auctioneer. Requests to cancel a bid or to alter a maximum bid will be denied if the specific lot is scheduled to close in less than 24 hours or if the lot has significant interest or activity.
To request that a bid be cancelled or to change a maximum bid use the "Ask a question" button on the detailed lot listing.
You will receive an email notification when you have successfully won an auction. You will also see the item listed on your "Bidding Results" page and if you are logged into the site you will see a highlighted message on the auction catalogue pages and auction listings.
Shipping requirements may vary on different items depending on location and size or weight of an item. When registering for a specific auction you will be provided options to clarify your preferred shipping instructions. The auctioneer will also review and provide specific shipping quotes or options following the close of an auction. If you have specific shipping requirements or are unsure of the shipping constraints on a specific item please contact the auctioneer prior to bidding.
Following the close of an auction the auctioneer will provide a detailed invoice for all items you have won. They may contact you before a final invoice is prepared to confirm or review specific shipping instructions. Payment is due once a final invoice is provided and can be submitted online by credit card, or made by EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer), bank draft or international wire transfer. Any outstanding balance will be automatically charged to your registered credit card 5 days following the close of an auction.