Joanne Tod (b. 1953) is a renowned Canadian painter acclaimed for her unwavering approach to realism, technical precision, and critical wit. She is also one of the country's most celebrated living portrait artists.
For Tod, a portrait is not simply likeness but a study of presence itself: a way of slowing down, holding attention, and examining the subtleties of character. Throughout her oeuvre, portraits of people and portraits of spaces converge, each exploring visibility, performance, and intimacy.
In this striking portrait, Tod depicts art world legend Shirley Thomson gazing at a marble bust. She stands in the National Gallery of Canada, the museum that she directed from 1987-1997. Light pours in from the skylight above, dissolving into the grand hall that extends behind her. While Thomsonâalong with the bustâis depicted with tremendous detail, the plinth and paintings behind them fall into abstraction, standing in as a reference to what is there, not as a representation.
Tod has described an unconscious desire to infuse herself into her compositions, making them surrogates of sorts that carry her authority and lend authenticity to the imagery. There is also a genuine enjoyment for her in depicting deep space, as she explores the quiet drama and psychological resonance of architectural interiors.
This painting is somewhat of an anomaly in Tod's oeuvre. Typically her images of museums are completely void of any human presence. Conversely Tod's portraits are notable for their subtle backgrounds, giving priority to the character of the subject. Thomson was not only one of Canada's most accomplished arts administrators but also a friend and champion of Joanne Tod. During her era at the National Gallery, the museum had moved to their famous site on Sussex Aveneu...so it is only fitting to have a portrait of Thomson that clearly places her in the actual museum. Â
Joanne Tod's works can be found in most major public institutions across Canada, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), and the MusĂ©e des beaux-arts de MontrĂ©al.Â
Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto gallery.
"Portrait of Shirley Thomson"
Canada, 1995
Oil on canvas
24"H 30"W
Signed, titled, and dated, verso
Very good condition
Note: The price is $19,500 CAD
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