From June 20th to September 28th 2025, discover the first-ever museum exhibition dedicaded to the Montréal-born painter, John Little (1928-2024).
Considered to be one of Canada's foremost urban artists, John Little devoted his career to preserving the architectural heritage of Montréal. However, not much is known of him, Little having refused throughout his life to partake in interviews and exhibitions. From St.-Henri to the Plateau-Mont-Royal, his paintings preserve the richness of urban life during the 1950s and the 1960s.
Today, his work is considered to be of great archival value, most streets and neighbourhoods in his paintings having all but disappeared over the years. They serve as a poignant reminder of the loss of historic areas across North America. In 1961, he lamented to Maclean's Magazine regarding the demolition frenzy which was sweeping the city at the time: "If we knock down all our old buildings... we'll become a people without a past."
The exhibition hosts around 30 artworks from 14 private collections, as well as prepartory material from the artist's studio archives. Let yourself be transported by Little's vibrant colours, winter sceneries, and Montréal's unique architectural landscape. Who knows, maybe you'll recognize a beloved street corner among his works...
Exhibition curator: Craig Klinkhoff