Saturday 13 April 2013

Castle Mountain Painting - Peter McKenzie

For someone who appreciates quality artwork there is nothing quite as satisfying as finding a piece of fine art when you're least expecting it. That's exactly what happened to me with this piece by Canadian artist, Peter McKenzie.


I was out early on a Saturday morning checking out the local yard sales. As I pulled up to one in my car I immediately noticed this piece propped up haphazardly under a table. I could tell it looked interesting from across the street, and definitely warranted a closer inspection.


As soon as I picked it up it was clear that this piece was an original oil-on-board, and that the artist had taken great care on the finer details of this painting. Clearly scribed in the bottom right corner was the name P. McKenzie, a name I knew anything about. The frame was dated, and not particularly clean, but that would not stop me from finding out how much it would cost to buy this painting.


When I asked the man attending the sale what he wanted for the painting he looked at me surprised. I don't think he expected to get any offers on it, and he clearly wasn't as impressed with it as I was. He said quickly with a laugh..."How 'bout 3 bucks". At this point it was a no-brainer. This painting was coming home with me. I dug into my pocked and pulled out a handful of change only to realize I had only $2.85. The man laughed and gladly accepted the counter-offer.


The title of this painting is not apparent on the piece itself, but the subject matter is clearly of Castle Mountain which is located in Banff National Park, British Columbia.

This painting is medium sized measuring 17" x 24".

So who is Peter McKenzie? This is a question I am still trying to find more answers to, but I have discover some interesting tidbits about this artist.
  • He was born in 1886 in Dunnville Ontario Canada.
  • He lived in Brockville, and Gananoque Ontario Canada for most of his life.
  • On Oct. 22, 1959 his painting called "Lost Channel in the St. Lawrence River" was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
  • He died in 1965



I am still unsure of the true value of this painting as I can't find a comparable, but one would have to assume it is more than the meagre offering of pocket change it was purchased for. It truly is an exiting moment finding quality artwork in unexpected places.

If you have any additional information on this artist or any stories of art you found please share!

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Since publishing this blog I have recieved some images of other pieces of Peter's artwork. Enjoy them below:

















29 comments:

  1. Peter Mckenzie was my Great Uncle. He was born in Dunnville On. We still live here. My two sisters and my father each have peices of Peters work. We have oils and pastels. Also one lovely Charcoal sketch. We always heard about the painting presented to the Queen but never knew the name of the painting. Thank you so much for your post. We really enjoyed reading it and seeing the painting.

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  2. ps, what province did you find it in?

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    1. Hi Kat,
      I found the painting in Carleton Place Ontario.
      I also have digital scans of newspaper articles from some local newspapers about the presentation of the painting to the queen.

      I found them in the microfilm newspaper archives at Queens U.
      I'd be happy to email them to you. I'll add you to G+ and we can set it up.

      I'd also be curious to see some of his other work. Do you have any photos of it?

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  3. This is interesting! I enjoyed reading your great post.Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have shared here. Les Pauvres Au Bord De La Mer

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  4. Thanks for sharing your find, I seen a Peter McKenzie for sale on ebay in the states, I lost the bid.
    I'm Kat.b sister.
    I sent a CD of Peter McKenzie's paintings that we have collected over the years and some family history supplied by my mom, to the national art gallery in Ottawa, a few years back.

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    1. I'd love to get a copy of that too, or at least some of the images emailed to me if possible.

      Check this link for the newspaper article I found...

      https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100816785697537210892/albums/5899540620001962049?authkey=CNfG_5nm0JWKEQ

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    2. I have the CD some where in the house, I seen it a couple months ago. Not sure where I tucked it.But when it resurfaces I'll forward it..
      Took 2 of uncle Peter's paintings to Canadian antique Road show when they came to Hamilton.
      Peter spent alot of time in Banff Alberta painting, So there are probably some of his paintings out West too.
      One of my mom's friends got a carved butter bowl made by Peter,it was a wedding gift
      To them in the early 50's. Has Deer's carved in the bowl.

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  5. I've recently been "introduced" to Peter McKenzie. He is recognized as the mentor to Lorne Prosser, Gananoque's beloved photographer. A family who were close to Peter would be interested in a photograph of the gentleman if one exists. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Karen, I do have a photo of Peter McKenzie. I will try to get a photograph and get it to you. Thats very interesting about Lorne Prosser. I have a lovely pastel of Peter's , most of his paintings are written on the back and i know we have some from the Gananoque area. I will get some pictures of them to share. thank you for your post .
      kathy

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  7. Hello everyone,

    I have a lovely pastel by Peter McKenzie. I believe it's a view of Three Sisters in Banff. The scene also includes a waterfall and a nice detail of a person trail riding on horseback while leading another horse. It's a work that I very much enjoy. The piece is signed and framed. Just thought I'd share :)

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  8. Hello kat b, it's been a long time since I've been talking about Peter. He came up in conversation again just this past weekend, so I decided to come back here. I'd love a photo. I've managed to acquire a couple of postcards of his from Saskatchewan, and noticed that province has published an article about him last spring (2015). I haven't seen it, but am attempting to get a copy.

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  9. Hello all, here is the link for the Saskatchewan Tourism's article about Peter McKenzie. I was able to obtain a copy.
    A really nice article with many photographs. For some reason I was under the impression that he was buried in Dunnville, not Brockville, but will await a confirmation about that.
    publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=73556

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  10. I have two beautiful original paintings by Peter McKenzie. One is with the Kingston passing through the islands on the St. Lawrence River. The other is of the islands. I also have an original signed picture by Peter and a snap shot of him dated Jul 59. I believe my Dad took that picture. So interested in more about this wonderful artist.

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  11. How do I upload pictures of the paintings to this site ?

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  12. http://saskarchives.com/node/535
    Here's the link for the magazine article which features photographs of Peter Mckenzie. Annie H, I would love a photo, and the Gananoque family who were close to him have never found one. If you can't figure out how to post it here, could you send it to my gmail account? Thanks so much

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    1. Hi Karen, Thank you for your response. I don't know what your email is.

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  13. Hi Karen
    I have a picture of Peter McKenzie, not sure how to add it to this site. if you email me I will send it to you katbarnz@gmail.com
    kathy

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  14. My name is Dale, I was born and raised in Brockville. I own a Peter McKenzie painting which my Grandmother purchased in Brockville about 60 years ago, she always said it was to be mine when I got older. I'm happy to have it, it was hanging in our home most of my growing up. She has passed but the story has always been that "the Queen has the same painting" whatever that could mean. It is 24"x18" oil on board of the Thousand Islands. It looks like it was painted from a high vantage point like one of the bridges facing east. I would post a photo but I don't see how it's done in this format.

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    1. hi Dale, I would love to see it!! can you send it to me at my gmail account? -kathy

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  15. I just bought one two weeks ago. Its a beautiful mountain seen with perhaps a park ranger and tent. It also has a bon fire . I also would love to post it but not sure how. The person selling it from her Aunt's estate. She was a nurse in Brockville, where she looked after Peter.

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  16. Hello Dale, The painting of the Lost Channel was given to the Queen in 1959, there's a link above that directs you to a newspaper article, but I've copied and pasted it here so you don't have to hunt for it.

    https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100816785697537210892/albums/5899540620001962049?authkey=CNfG_5nm0JWKEQ

    Here'a link to 1000 Islands Life Magazine with some comments about the Lost Channel and a photograph. Ian Coristone who is mentioned here takes a lot of photos from his airplane, although I suspect Peter took a photograph (he was a photographer before he was a painter) from the 1000 Islands Bridge.

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  17. http://www.thousandislandslife.com/BackIssues/Archive/tabid/393/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1060/Photographing-Lost-Channel.aspx

    forgot to post the link in the previous comment, sorry about that

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  18. Karen and Kathy - thanks for the info. Kathy, I’ll send you an email with photo.

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  19. Hi guys. I'm the owner of this blog. If you want you can send me the images etc. and I will post them here for everyone's benefit. Looking forward to seeing more of his work. johnlawrance@gmail.com

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  20. If anyone has a pastel or oil painting of Peter Mckenzie, which you are looking to sell. Please contact me.

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    1. I think i have come across the oil painting that was given to the queen / Royal Family. The painting is of "Thousand Islands". There is a label that reads "Marlborough House" From Canadian Tour 1959. My email is info@wheelerantiques.co.uk if anyone would like to know anymore details.

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