On a quiet Tuesday afternoon following winter break, a collection of faculty, students, and community members gathered to view a treasured collection of artwork by Canadian Jewish artists. A few of the artists spotlighted in the program and in McGill’s collection more broadly were Harry Mayerovitch, Ghitta Caisserman-Roth, Alfred Pinsky, Herman Heimlich, and Mo Reinblatt, whose unique worldviews and interactions in Montreal shaped their work. Whether it be a serene landscape of the Laurentians, or a grittier glimpse into the lives of working class immigrants in the Plateau, these artists took profound inspiration from their environments. Located on the fourth floor of McLennan Library, this viewing showcased vibrant portraits and a warm welcome from McGill’s curatorial team that provided a respite from the chaos of syllabus week.
These works, part of the Jewish Painters of Montreal collection, provide a window into the art movements that inspired Jewish artists, largely following global schools of Modernism and Fauvism. These urban creatives primarily painted portraits, often painting Jewish Canadian figures. One work that stands out is Herman Heimlich’s gorgeous rendering of composer Ethel Stark, proudly displayed in McGill’s Faculty Club. This curation was presented by McGill Visual Arts Collection’s Director of Curatorial Affairs, Gwendolyn Owens, and Assistant Curator, Michelle Macleod, both experts in understanding the centrality of Jewish artists to the cultural history of Montreal.
In an interview with Nu, Macleod expanded on the increasingly important role of public history in the age of the internet. “This collection is here to be discovered and to be engaged with,” encouraging students and faculty members to “come see the works in person because…it’s a transformative experience not to just see them online. The art at McGill is sort of hiding in plain sight sometimes … our job is to make people feel welcome to come explore and learn more.” The McGill Gallery is open to the public on Monday through Friday from 10 to 6pm, boasting comfortable chairs perfect for relaxing and enjoying the art and company around you.
Many of the Jewish artists highlighted in this mini-exhibition trained in public spaces across the city in the mid 20th century. Many of these artists took classes at Baron Byng High School and taught by influential Canadian female artist Anne Savage, providing a formative training in the arts. Additionally, the YMHA building on Mont-Royal Avenue was another community space in which residents of the primarily Jewish Plateau learned new art techniques after school or work, in many languages. One featured artist was Alfred Pinsky, a notable graduate of Baron Byng, who went on to become the director of Concordia University’s Fine Arts program. Many of the other featured artists make their living through gallery positions or selling works privately.
Macleod pointed out Jewish Montreal artists’ propensity for portraying darker urban scenes, in addition to vast Canadian landscapes, stating, “they were painting scenes of everyday life and of the urban experience and a bit more of this idea of social issues. Rita Baransky and Mo Reinblatt are painting poverty in the streets and in public parks, and they’re dark scenes of what the city would look like.” This view into the hardships faced by urban dwellers in Toronto and Montreal, especially among immigrants lacking financial resources, contrasts the idyllic scenes of colourful mountain ranges and prairie lands seen frequently in museum galleries. “These artists were painting another type of Canadian art that was very modern, and that had been less seen.”
This special exhibit, only available to passersby for a limited period, illuminates the rich cultural contributions of Jewish painters in 20th century Montreal. If you are curious about the collections both at McLennan and across over ninety buildings on campus, take a look at their tour offerings and 3400+ catalogued works online. In an age where we are bombarded by images on our phone, it is refreshing to take part in in-person events where audience members can engage with art and art history, and more importantly with each other!
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