Signed 1920 Canadian Landscape “Cold” in Charcoal by Hal Ross Perrigard

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This artwork, titled “Cold,” is an exceptionally well-documented 1920 charcoal drawing on paper by the celebrated Canadian artist Hal Ross … Read more This artwork, titled “Cold,” is an exceptionally well-documented 1920 charcoal drawing on paper by the celebrated Canadian artist Hal Ross Perrigard, ARCA. It captures a stark, atmospheric Canadian winter landscape executed in the style of Tonalism mixed with early 20th-century Canadian Impressionism. The subject is a snow-laden log cabin or rural homestead. Smoke drifts lazily from the stone chimney into a heavy, overcast winter sky. A rudimentary post-and-wire fence runs along the snowdrifted foreground, emphasizing isolation and rural resilience against severe weather conditions.

MEDIUM & STYLE: Executed in monochrome charcoal on paper, this work demonstrates Perrigard’s mastery of textures—contrasting the rough-hewn timbers of the cabin against the soft, blanketed mass of fresh snow.

EXHIBITIONS FOR THIS PIECE: The back of the frame acts as a spectacular time capsule of early 20th-century Canadian art history. The artwork bears original historical labels proving it was heavily exhibited at premier national and international showcases: the Royal Canadian Academy, Montreal Exhibition (1920); the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto (1921); the Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition (1921); and the British Empire Exhibition, London (1925), where it was slotted into the prestigious Canadian Section of Fine Arts, introducing Perrigard's work to a global audience. A modern gallery label from Westmount, Quebec’s Kastel Gallery Inc. indicates this work’s later journey through the high-end secondary art market.

ARTIST: Hal Ross Perrigard (1891–1960) was born in Montreal. He studied under legendary Canadian masters William Brymner and Maurice Cullen at the Royal Canadian Academy School. He was elected as an Associate member of the Royal Canadian Academy (ARCA) in 1924. He was also closely tied to the Beaver Hall Group, an influential circle of modernist Montreal painters.

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS: While best recognized for his luminous oil landscapes and his public murals (including works for the Canadian Pacific Railway and the 1939 New York World's Fair), his charcoal drawings remain highly sought after by collectors for their strong composition and emotional gravity. His works reside in major institutional collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec.

Signature/Maker’s Mark: Bottom Left (photo #5). Unframed dimensions: 15” inches high x 22” inches wide. See less