Description

Book Synopsis

William R. Watson (1887-1973) began working for an art dealer in Montreal in 1905 just two days after he arrived from England, and in 1908 he opened his own business. From the outset, he was eager to sell the work of Canadian painters – no small ambition at the time, for Montreal art collectors were still in the thrall of the European masters. But by the time Mr Watson retired in 1958, a revolution in taste had occurred, and Canadian artists could not produce enough canvases to meet the demand for their work. As the first art dealer consistently to encourage Canada’s painters, the Watson Art Galleries were a signal force in bringing about this change.

These are Mr Watson’s recollections of struggle and triumph, written late in life and edited by his daughters, Claire and Louise. They include good-humoured anecdotes and recollections of the art business, of collectors like William Van Horne  and Harry Norton, and of the painters who became Watsonȁ

Retrospective

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    A Paperback by William R. Watson

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      Publisher: University of Toronto Press
      Publication Date: 12/15/1974 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9781487585730, 978-1487585730
      ISBN10: 148758573X
      Also in:
      The arts: general topics

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      William R. Watson (1887-1973) began working for an art dealer in Montreal in 1905 just two days after he arrived from England, and in 1908 he opened his own business. From the outset, he was eager to sell the work of Canadian painters – no small ambition at the time, for Montreal art collectors were still in the thrall of the European masters. But by the time Mr Watson retired in 1958, a revolution in taste had occurred, and Canadian artists could not produce enough canvases to meet the demand for their work. As the first art dealer consistently to encourage Canada’s painters, the Watson Art Galleries were a signal force in bringing about this change.

      These are Mr Watson’s recollections of struggle and triumph, written late in life and edited by his daughters, Claire and Louise. They include good-humoured anecdotes and recollections of the art business, of collectors like William Van Horne  and Harry Norton, and of the painters who became Watsonȁ

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