Willard Morse Mitchell (Canadian 1881-1955)
Notre Dame Church at Historic Place D'armes, Notre Dame Street, Montreal, P.Q.
Size: 2 x 2 ½ in (with frame 2 ½ x 3 in)
Miniature watercolour in original hand carved frame, signed lower right "Willard M. Mithcell", inscribed on reverse "NOTRE DAME Church at historic Place d'Armes, Notre Dame Street, Montreal, P.Q. Canada. Was built in 1824 to replace an earlier church dating back to 1672. The nave and galleries can hold 10000 worshipers. This is a genuine water color and a hand carved frame by Willard M. Mitchell. 431"
Willard Mitchell was born in Saint John, New Brunswick and was active in Montreal as an artist and architect from 1927 to 1943. Working in oil, watercolour and ink, he is known for his miniature landscapes and streetscapes of rural Quebec and Montreal. He carved his own frames and often placed a brief note on the back of the framed scenes. His watercolours were well done and were well received, often as popular gifts. He travelled to Nova Scotia, Italy and Greece and exhibited with the Art Association of Montreal in 1927 and 1928. Mitchell died at the age of 74 and was survived by his wife Ethel Corinna Harris Mitchell.
J20168
