Johnstone, John Young


Technique: Oil, watercolor and charcoal

1887-1930

John Young Johnstone was born in Montreal in 1887.

Johnstone studied at the Montreal Arts Association under the tutelage of William Brymner, as well as in Paris, at the renowned Académie de la Grande Chaumière, with artists Castelucheo, L. Simon and R. Ménard. During his life, he also visited Switzerland, Belgium and other French cities.

Johnstone uses several mediums to create his works. He is best known for his landscapes, urban scenes and portraits in an impressionist style. From 1918 to 1928, he taught at the Monument National. He exhibited with RCA from 1915 to 1923 and with AAM from 1911 to 1925.

Collections

His work is part of numerous public and private collections, including that of the National Gallery of Canada.

Honors

In 1920, John Young Johnstone was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy. His painting entitled “À Québec village” was reproduced in the book The Fine Arts In Canada by MacTavish ; the latter included Johnstone among the best Canadian painters.