Helen McNicoll

Copyright & Credits

Acknowledgements

From the Author

Many thanks to the Art Canada Institute and its stellar team for the opportunity to make Helen McNicoll’s wonderful body of work available to a new audience. Thanks especially to Sara Angel for her enthusiastic encouragement along the way. It has been a true privilege and pleasure to work so closely with Rosemary Shipton and Kendra Ward on this project. Their editorial suggestions improved this manuscript immeasurably. A particularly warm thanks to Eva Lu, whose tireless image research made this book possible.

This book has also benefitted from the advice, comments, and generous support of my doctoral and postdoctoral supervisors, Charmaine Nelson and Kate Flint, as well as many other friends, colleagues, and mentors at McGill and USC. I am especially grateful to Kristina Huneault, whose own work on McNicoll has been an inspiration.

From the Art Canada Institute

The Art Canada Institute gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the six children of Betty-Ann McNicoll-Elliott and R. Fraser Elliott and Sandra L. Simpson, the Title Sponsors of this book.

The Art Canada Institute gratefully acknowledges its other sponsors for the 2017–18 Season: Aimia, Alexandra Bennett in memory of Jalynn Bennett, Consignor Canadian Fine Art, Kiki and Ian Delaney, Richard and Donna Ivey, The Sabourin Family Foundation, and TD Bank Group.

We also sincerely thank the Founding Sponsor for the Art Canada Institute: BMO Financial Group; and the Art Canada Institute Founding Patrons: Jalynn H. Bennett, Butterfield Family Foundation, David and Vivian Campbell, Albert E. Cummings, Kiki and Ian Delaney, Jon S. and Lyne Dellandrea, the Fleck family, Roger and Kevin Garland, Gershon Iskowitz Foundation, Glorious & Free Foundation, The Scott Griffin Foundation, Michelle Koerner and Kevin Doyle, Jane Huh, Phil Lind, Sarah and Tom Milroy, Nancy McCain and Bill Morneau, Gerald Sheff and Shanitha Kachan, Sandra L. Simpson, Stephen Smart, Pam and Mike Stein, Nalini and Tim Stewart, Robin and David Young, Sara and Michael Angel; its Visionary Patrons: Connor, Clark & Lunn Foundation and Lawson Hunter; as well as its Founding Partner Patrons: The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Partners in Art.

The ACI gratefully acknowledges the support and assistance of the Art Gallery of Hamilton (Christine Braun); Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (Shannon Parker); Art Gallery of Ontario (Amy Furness, Tracy Mallon-Jensen, Marilyn Nazar, Donald Rance); Beaverbrook Art Gallery (Sarah Dick, Clinton Gillespie); Bonhams (Peter Rees); Bridgeman Images (Nancy Glowinski, Addie Warner); Bushey Museum and Art Gallery (John Gerry, Patrick Forsyth, Patricia Wollard); Carnegie Museum of Art (Bryan Conley, Laurel Mitchell); Christie’s (Emily Lin, Louise Simpson); Firefly Books (Parisa Michailidis); Heffel Fine Art Auction House (Molly Tonken); Kimbell Art Museum (Shelly Treadgill); Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Severance Piper); Masters Gallery; McCord Museum; McGill University Library (Jennifer Garland, Greg Houston); McMichael Canadian Art Collection (Alexandra Cousins); Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Marie-Claude Saia); Musée d’Orsay (Denise Faïfe, Christine Kermel); Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Linda Doyon); National Gallery of Canada (Raven Amiro); New Brunswick Museum (Jennifer Longon); Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Stacey Sherman); The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (Alessandra Cirelli); Royal British Columbia Museum (Kelly-Ann Turkington); Slade School of Fine Art; Sotheby’s (Marie Jo Paquet); Taft Museum of Art (Angela Fuller); University of Lethbridge Art Gallery (Andrea Kremenik); Victoria and Albert Museum (Celine Smith); and Kristina Huneault, Pierre Lassonde, Jennifer Lopez, A.K. Prakash, and the family of Lawren S. Harris. The ACI recognizes the numerous private collectors who have given permission for their work to be published in this edition.

IMAGE SOURCES

Every effort has been made to secure permissions for all copyrighted material. The Art Canada Institute will gladly correct any errors or omissions.

Credit for Banner Images

Photograph of Helen McNicoll in her studio, c. 1906. — Biography: Helen McNicoll in her studio at St. Ives, c. 1906. (See below for details.)

Marketplace, 1910, Helen McNicoll — Key Works: Helen McNicoll, *Marketplace*, 1910. (See below for details.)

Sunny September, 1913, Helen McNicoll — Significance & Critical Issues: Helen McNicoll, *Sunny September*, 1913. (See below for details.)

Stubble Fields, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — Style & Technique: Helen McNicoll, *Stubble Fields*, c. 1912. (See below for details.)

North view of the Helen McNicoll exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto — Where to See: North view of the 1999 Helen McNicoll exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The Avenue, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — Sources & Resources: Helen McNicoll, *The Avenue*, c. 1912. (See below for details.)

Credits for Works by Helen McNicoll

Academy, 1899–1900, Helen McNicoll — *Academy*, 1899–1900. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, gift of the artist (Dr.1919.214).

The Apple Gatherer, 1957, Helen McNicoll — *The Apple Gatherer*, c. 1911. Art Gallery of Hamilton, gift of G.C. Mutch, Esq., in memory of his mother, Annie Elizabeth Mutch, 1957 (57.87.0).

Beneath the Trees, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Beneath the Trees*, c. 1910. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg (1995.30.1).

The Blue Sea (On the Beach at St. Malo), c. 1914, Helen McNicoll — *The Blue Sea* (*On the Beach at St. Malo*), c. 1914. Private collection. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art and Auction House.

The Brown Hat, c. 1906, Helen McNicoll — *The Brown Hat*, c. 1906. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift from the Estate of R. Fraser Elliott, 2006 (2006/88).

Buttercups, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Buttercups*, c. 1910. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, bequest of Sylva Gelber, Ottawa, 2005 (41709).

Cherry Time, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — *Cherry Time*, c. 1912. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg (1995.30.3).

The Chintz Sofa, c. 1913, Helen McNicoll — *The Chintz Sofa*, c. 1913. Private collection, Thornhill, Ontario. Courtesy of Masters Gallery, Calgary.

The Chintz Sofa #2, c. 1913, Helen McNicoll — *The Chintz Sofa* #2, c. 1913, private collection.

Cottage, Evening, c. 1905, Helen McNicoll — *Cottage, Evening*, c. 1905. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, gift of Beverley Elliot, 1983 (#1983MH98).

Dorothea Sharp and a child model, date unknown, photograph by Helen McNicoll. Helen McNicoll artist file, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.

An English Beach, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *An English Beach*, c. 1910. Private collection.

The Farmyard, c. 1908, Helen McNicoll — *The Farmyard*, c. 1908. New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, Saint John Art Club Collection, 1995 (1995.26.26).

Fishing in Venice, c. 1907, Helen McNicoll — *Fishing*, c. 1907. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Footbridge in Venice, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Footbridge in Venice*, c. 1910. Private collection. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House.

Gathering Flowers, c. 1911, Helen McNicoll — *Gathering Flowers*, c. 1911. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Girl with Parasol, c. 1913, Helen McNicoll — *Girl with Parasol*, c. 1913. Private collection, Vancouver. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House.

The Gleaner, c. 1908, Helen McNicoll — *The Gleaner*, c. 1908. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.

Interior, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Interior*, c. 1910. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, purchase, 1976 (75/100).

In the Shadow of the Tree, c. 1914, Helen McNicoll — *In the Shadow of the Tree*, c. 1914. Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Quebec City (1951.140).

Landscape with Cows, c. 1907, Helen McNicoll — *Landscape with Cows*, c. 1907. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of Mrs. R. Fraser Elliott, 1977 (77/7).

The Little Worker, c. 1907, Helen McNicoll — *The Little Worker*, c. 1907. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, purchase, 1983 (83/238).

Market Cart in Brittany, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Market Cart in Brittany*, c. 1910. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, gift of M. Sharf, 1983 (1983MH49).

Market in Brittany, c. 1913, Helen McNicoll — *Market in Brittany*, c. 1913. Private collection. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art and Auction House.

Midsummer, c. 1909, Helen Mcnicoll — *Midsummer*, c. 1909. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax (1925.3).

Minding Baby, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Minding Baby*, c. 1911. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.

Moonlight, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *Moonlight*, c. 1905. Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, gift of Lord Beaverbrook (1959.140).

On the Beach, c. 1910, Helen McNicoll — *On the Beach*, c. 1910. Private collection.

On the Cliffs, 1913, Helen McNicoll — *On the Cliffs*, 1913. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.

The Open Door, c. 1913, Helen McNicoll — *The Open Door*, c. 1913. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.

Picking Flowers, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — *Picking Flowers*, c. 1912. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of R. Fraser Elliott, Toronto, in memory of Betty Ann Elliott, 1992 (92/102).

Reaping Time, c. 1909, Helen McNicoll — *Reaping Time*, c. 1909. Private collection. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House.

River Landscape, n.d., Helen McNicoll — *River Landscape*, n.d. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, gift of Beverley Elliot, 1983 (1983MH96).

September Evening, 1908, Helen McNicoll — *September Evening*, 1908. Private collection, Toronto. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House.

Sketch for “Picking Flowers,”, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — *Sketch for “Picking Flowers,”* c. 1912. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of Helen McNicoll Dubeau, Acton, Ontario, 1994 (94/796).

Sketchbook, 1902 — *Sketch of Female Nudes from Dessin* [*sic*] *Sketchbook*, c. 1902. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of Jane and John McNicoll, 2002 (2002/9438).

Large Sketchbook, 1902 — *“Sketch of Male Nudes*” *from Large Sketchbook*, c. 1902. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of Jane and John McNicoll, 2002 (2002/9440).

Study of a Child, c. 1913, Helen McNicoll — *Study of a Child*, c. 1900. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Mr. and Mrs. David McNicoll (1915.121).

Tea Time, c. 1911, Helen McNicoll — *Tea Time*, c. 1911. Private collection. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House.

Under the Shadow of the Tent, 1914, Helen McNicoll — *Under the Shadow of the Tent*, 1914. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (1915.122).

The Victorian Dress, 1914, Helen McNicoll — *The Victorian Dress*, 1914. McCord Museum, Montreal (M976.134).

The Victorian Dress, c. 1914, Helen McNicoll — *The Victorian Dress*, c. 1914. Art Gallery of Hamilton, gift of A. Sidney Dawes, Esq., M.C., 1958 (58.87.Q).

Village Street, 1904, Helen McNicoll — *Village Street*, 1904. Private collection. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.

Watching the Boat, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — *Watching the Boat*, c. 1912. Private collection, Vancouver. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art and Auction House.

Welcome Breeze, c. 1909, Helen McNicoll — *A Welcome Breeze*, c. 1909. Private collection. Courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House.

White Sunshade #2, c. 1912, Helen McNicoll — *White Sunshade #2*, c. 1912. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of the Estate of Budd Sugarman, 2006 (2006/87).

Wm. Brymner, 1901, Helen McNicoll — *Wm. Brymner*, 1901. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of R. Fraser Elliott, 1976 (76/30).

Credits for Photographs and Works by Other Artists

Art Association of Montreal sculpture room, 1905 — Art Association of Montreal sculpture room, November 18, 1905. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts archives. Photo credit: The Gazette/Southam. Courtesy of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

The Art Association of Montreal’s plaster cast room, November 18, 1905 — Art Association of Montreal plaster cast room, c. 1893, photographer unknown. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts archives.

Boulevard des Capucines, 1873–74, Claude Monet — *Boulevard des Capucines*, 1873–74, by Claude Monet. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, purchase: the Kenneth A. and Helen F. Spencer Foundation Acquisition Fund (F72-35). Photo credit: Jamison Miller.

Cliff Walk at Pourville, 1882, Claude Monet — *Cliff Walk at Pourville*, 1882, by Claude Monet. Art Institute of Chicago (1933.443).

Cornfield in Summertime, n.d., Dorothea Sharp — *Cornfield in Summertime*, n.d., by Dorothea Sharp. Private collection. © The copyright holder.

Corn Stooks, 1899, Algernon Talmage — *Corn Stooks*, 1899, by Algernon Talmage. Bushey Museum and Art Gallery, U.K. (1992.39.33).

The Cradle, 1872, Berthe Morisot — *The Cradle*, 1872, by Berthe Morisot. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, acquired by the National Museums for the Louvre Museum in 1930 (RF 2849). © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay) / DR.

Dame Christabel Pankhurst, 1909, Ethel Wright — *Dame Christabel Pankhurst*, 1909, by Ethel Wright. National Portrait Gallery, London, bequeathed by Elizabeth Ruth Dugdale Weir, 2010 (6921).

A Day by the Sea, 1914, Dorothea Sharp — *A Day by the Sea*, 1914, by Dorothea Sharp. Private collection. Courtesy of Christie’s. © The copyright holder.

A Fireside, c. 1910, Mary Hiester Reid — *A Fireside*, c. 1910, by Mary Hiester Reid. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, purchase, 1987 (87/174).

Les Foins, 1877, Jules Bastien-Lepage — *Les Foins*, 1877, by Jules Bastien-Lepage. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, acquired from the heirs of the artist by the state for the Luxembourg Museum in 1885 (RF 2748). © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski.

ront cover of Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist — Front cover of *Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist*, by Natalie Luckyj. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Photo credit: Ian Lefebvre.

Front cover of Independent Spirit: Early Canadian Women Artists — Front cover of *Independent Spirit: Early Canadian Women Artists*, by A.K. Prakash. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Photo credit: Ian Lefebvre.

Haystacks, End of Summer, Morning, 1890–91, Claude Monet — *Haystacks, End of Summer, Morning*, 1890–91, by Claude Monet. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, acquired with the funds of an anonymous Canadian donation by the National Museums for the Jeu de Paume in 1975 (RF1975-3).

Helen McNicoll, 1901, William Brymner — *Helen McNicoll*, 1901, by William Brymner. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto gift of Mr. R. Fraser Elliott, 1976 (76/29).

Helen McNicoll, 1910, Robert Harris. — *Helen McNicoll*, 1910, by Robert Harris. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, gift of Vivian and David Campbell, Toronto, 1981 (81/222).

Helen McNicoll’s studio in St. Ives, Cornwall, c. 1906, photographer unknown. Helen McNicoll artist file, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.

Helen McNicoll adjusting model’s hair, date unknown, photographer likely Dorothea Sharp. Helen McNicoll artist file, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.

Helen McNicoll in her studio at St. Ives, c. 1906, photographer unknown. Helen McNicoll artist file, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.

Helen McNicoll’s studio in St. Ives, Cornwall, c. 1906, photographer unknown. Helen McNicoll artist file, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.

Impression—Sunrise, 1872, Claude Monet — *Impression*—*Sunrise*, 1872, by Claude Monet. Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris.

“Liverpool,” from Sister and I from Victoria to London, 1910–11, Emily Carr — “Liverpool,” from *Sister and I from Victoria to London*, 1910–11, by Emily Carr. Emily Carr fonds, Royal British Columbia Museum and Archives, Victoria (PDP06069). Courtesy of the Royal British Columbia Museum and Archives, Victoria.

Maternal Caress, 1890–91, Mary Cassatt — *Maternal Caress*, 1890–91, by Mary Cassatt. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Chester Dale Collection (1963.10.255).

McNicoll’s letter from France, 1914, Helen McNicoll — McNicoll’s letter from France, 1914. Helen McNicoll artist file, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa.

Morning in Spain, 1907, W.H. Clapp — *Morning in Spain*, 1907, by W.H. Clapp. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (85).

Mother About to Wash Her Sleepy Child, 1880, Mary Cassatt — *Mother About to Wash Her Sleepy Child*, 1880, by Mary Cassatt. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Mrs. Fred Hathaway Bixby Bequest (M.62.8.14). Photo credit: Museum Associates/LACMA.

North Shore, Lake Superior, 1926, Lawren S. Harris — *North Shore, Lake Superior,* 1926, by Lawren S. Harris. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (3708). © Family of Lawren S. Harris.

Northwest view of the 1999 Helen McNicoll exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

One Summer’s Day, 1884, William Brymner — *One Summer’s Day*, 1884, by William Brymner. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (14633).

On the Pont de l’Europe, 1876–77, Gustave Caillebotte — *On the Pont de l’Europe*, 1876–77, by Gustave Caillebotte. Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth (AP 1982.01).

Photograph of a page from McNicoll’s scrapbook, c. 1900 — Page from McNicoll’s scrapbook, c. 1900, private collection, Acton. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

South view of Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto — South view of *Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist* at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Studio Interior, c. 1882, William Merritt Chase — *Studio Interior*, c. 1882, by William Merritt Chase. Brooklyn Museum, New York, gift of Mrs. Carll H. de Silver in memory of her husband (13.50).

Students at the Slade School, June 23, 1905, photographer unknown. Slade Archive Project, Slade School of Fine Art, University College London.

The Swing, 1876, Pierre-Auguste Renoir — *The Swing*, 1876, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, accepted by the state as a legacy of Gustave Caillebotte in 1894 (RF 2738, LUX 375). © Musée d’Orsay, dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt.

Two Girls by a Lake, c. 1912, Dorothea Sharp — *Two Girls by a Lake*, c. 1912, by Dorothea Sharp. Private collection. © The copyright holder.

A Wet Night on the Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris, c. 1895–96, James Wilson Morrice — *A Wet Night on the Boulevard Saint Germain*, *Paris*, c. 1895–96, by James Wilson Morrice. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, gift of G. Blair Laing, Toronto, 1989 (30465).

A Wreath of Flowers, 1884, William Brymner — *A Wreath of Flowers*, 1884, by William Brymner. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts diploma work, deposited by the artist, Ottawa, 1886 (19).

Young Women Picking Fruit, 1891, Mary Cassatt — *Young Women Picking Fruit*, 1891, by Mary Cassatt. Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Patrons Art Fund (22.8). Courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh.

BOOK CREDITS

Publisher

Sara Angel

Executive Editor

Kendra Ward

Web & Layout Director

Simone Wharton

Editor

Rosemary Shipton

Copy Editor

Linda Pruessen

Proofreader

Alicia Peres

Translator

Ginette Jubinville

French Copy Editor and Proofreader

Annie Champagne

Image Research Associate

Eva Lu

Digital Image Specialist

Rachel Topham

Layout Designer

Steven Boyle

English Layout Associate

Heather Pierce

Design Template

Studio Blackwell

COPYRIGHT

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Burton, Samantha, 1979-, author
Helen McNicoll : life & work / Samantha Burton.

Includes bibliographical references.

Contents: Biography — Key works — Significance & critical issues — Style &
technique — Sources & resources — Where to see.

Electronic monograph in HTML, PDF and mobile formats.
ISBN 978-1-4871-0152-7 (HTML).—ISBN 978-1-4871-0153-4
(PDF).—ISBN 978-1-4871-0154-1 (MOBILE)

1. McNicoll, Helen, 1879-1915. 2. McNicoll, Helen, 1879-1915—
Criticism and interpretation. 3. Painters—Canada—Biography.
I. McNicoll, Helen, 1879-1915. Paintings. Selections II. Art Canada
Institute, issuing body III. Title.

ND249.M323B87 2017 759.11 C2017-906511-4