Morrice in Venice

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McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Left: James Wilson Morrice (1865–1924), Woman at a Café, c.1901, oil on panel, 19 x 25.5 cm, Private Collection, Montreal, photo: Toni Hafkenscheid Right: James Wilson Morrice (1865–1924), Venice Regatta, c.1900, oil on canvas, 51.4 x 74.6 cm, Mitchell Goldhar, photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection proudly presents Morrice in Venice, a new exhibition celebrating Canadian modernist James Wilson Morrice’s evocative depictions of one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. Opening May 31 and running through September 21, 2025, the exhibition draws on the groundbreaking research of distinguished art historian Sandra Paikowsky, and brings together a remarkable selection of Morrice’s canvases, pochades, and sketches sourced from major public galleries and private collections across Canada. Together, these works reveal Morrice’s distinctive vision of Venice.

James Wilson Morrice (1865–1924) was the first Canadian artist to make Venice a recurring focus in his work. Between the mid-1890s and 1908, he returned to the city almost annually, drawn to its atmospheric canals and piazzas. At a time when Venice was a magnet for artists from across Europe, Morrice stood apart as one of the few international painters to engage with the city over an extended period, building a nuanced and intimate visual record of the city’s character and charm. His Venetian works earned widespread acclaim, appearing in exhibitions throughout Europe, including Paris and London, as well as in Toronto and Montreal, his hometown.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, who gravitated toward sweeping, picturesque views of the city and its landmarks, Morrice focused on capturing its quieter, more intimate moments. His paintings reveal the subtle beauty of the city’s secluded calles, tranquil squares, and lively public spaces, rendered with a masterful interplay of light and colour. Whether viewed from a café table or through the winding paths of Venice’s labyrinthine streets, Morrice’s works offer a deeply personal and evocative glimpse into the soul of the city.

Curated by Paikowsky, a preeminent authority on Morrice’s Venetian art and author of James Wilson Morrice: Paintings and Drawings of Venice, this exhibition explores the artist’s themes, inspirations, and his use of Venice as a site for creative experimentation. Organized as a visual journey through the city, the exhibition offers a window into the artist’s creative process and an opportunity to see Venice through the eyes of one of Canada’s most accomplished artists.