Côte Claire-Fontaine, Église St. Jean-Baptiste, Québec, 1981
Oil on canvas
24 x 30 in
61 x 76.2 cm
61 x 76.2 cm
This painting is presently on view at our Toronto gallery
$18,000
Inscriptions
signed, ‘JOHN/LITTLE’ (lower right); titled, signed and dated, ‘Cote St. Jean Baptiste - Québec. JOHN LITTLE 81’ (upper horizontal stretcher; inscribed, ‘Martin J.A. ‘Marty’ Barry. Centre. Detroit Red Wings - Hockey Hall of Fame / born in Quebec City Dec. 8, 1905 died Aug. 20, 1969’ (right vertical stretcher)Provenance
Private collection, Ottawa
This composition describes a considerable amount of the built heritage of this central part of Quebec City. Citizens of divergent income levels were born in the city centre, lived there, and went to church there. Quebec City, like many North American cities, was a victim of the desecration caused by suburbanization and urban renewal.
The lot Little shows as empty today is occupied by a housing unit that is entirely lacking in any character or style beyond the banal.
The notation on the reverse of Marty Barry is one of his tombstones to a personality of yesteryear. While some of his tributes are in memory of formerly well-known sports figures or musicians, others are to some lesser-known. As the artist indicates, Marty Barry was originally from Quebec City. He was a captain of the Boston Bruins and a leading goal scorer in his era.
As a habit, Little usually wanted to be home in Montreal at night with his wife Lorraine (1928-2016) and their young family. This explains for the most part why he sought out material to paint in his hometown of Montreal and Quebec City.
The lot Little shows as empty today is occupied by a housing unit that is entirely lacking in any character or style beyond the banal.
The notation on the reverse of Marty Barry is one of his tombstones to a personality of yesteryear. While some of his tributes are in memory of formerly well-known sports figures or musicians, others are to some lesser-known. As the artist indicates, Marty Barry was originally from Quebec City. He was a captain of the Boston Bruins and a leading goal scorer in his era.
As a habit, Little usually wanted to be home in Montreal at night with his wife Lorraine (1928-2016) and their young family. This explains for the most part why he sought out material to paint in his hometown of Montreal and Quebec City.
