John Young Johnstone
John Young Johnstone
1887 - 1930
ARCA BHG PPCM
John Young Johnstone was best known for his landscapes, urban scenes and portraits. Owing to his relatively short active painting period, Johnstone’s work is relatively rare and little is known of his life. His style of painting has been described as a mixture of simplified realism with Impressionist influences. His work can be divided into two periods, which at times overlap. His earlier period, which falls between the years of 1911 to 1915, shows a more structured and colourful style. During this period he employed a number of techniques which showed influences from the Impressionists. His later period from 1916 onwards displays a toned-down palette and a melancholy which was reflected in his personal life. While he continued to show Impressionist influences, he also introduced his own perception of his subjects.

Johnstone was born in Montreal. He studied at the Art Association of Montreal under William Brymner, R.C.A. and then in Paris at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière,where he studied under Lucien Simon and Émile-René Ménard. During his time in Paris he also traveled through Switzerland, France and Belgium. He found much of his success in his early thirties. He taught at several Montreal institutions and his work was exhibited at the Art Association of Montreal spring shows as well as the Royal Canadian Academy. In 1920 he was elected to the ARCA. He was a member of the Pen and Pencil Club and the Beaver Hall Group, an association of artists from Montreal who met while studying art under William Brymner. Though he associated with many celebrated artists, including Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté and Alfred Laliberté, Johnstone was reclusive. In 1930 he traveled to Havana, Cuba, where he died at the age of 43.

The National Gallery of Canada have four of his canvases in their collection, including two street scenes, a rural scene and a harbour scene. His work is also included in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Johnstone is described in Newton MacTavish’s The Fine Arts in Canada as among the best painters in Canada and the book includes a reproduction of his painting entitled A Quebec Village.
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Quebec Village by John Young Johnstone sold for $15,340
John Young Johnstone
Quebec Village
3 1/2 x 5 1/8 in, 8.9 x 13 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $15,340 CDN (premium included)
Spring 2015 - 2nd Session on Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Indian Trinket Sellers by John Young Johnstone sold for $15,340
John Young Johnstone
Indian Trinket Sellers
12 x 9 1/2 in, 30.5 x 24.1 cm
1915
oil on panel
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $15,340 CDN (premium included)
Fall 2015 - 2nd Session on Thursday, November 26, 2015
Road on Île d'Orléans by John Young Johnstone sold for $12,500
John Young Johnstone
Road on Île d'Orléans
4 3/4 x 7 in, 12.1 x 17.8 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $12,500 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art on Thursday, May 27, 2021
Côte de Beaupré, Quebec by John Young Johnstone sold for $11,800
John Young Johnstone
Côte de Beaupré, Quebec
5 1/2 x 7 in, 14 x 17.8 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,800 CDN (premium included)
May 2015 - 6th Session on Saturday, May 30, 2015
Beaupré, PQ by John Young Johnstone sold for $11,700
John Young Johnstone
Beaupré, PQ
11 5/8 x 20 3/8 in, 29.5 x 51.7 cm
oil on board
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,700 CDN (premium included)
Spring 2011 - 2nd Session on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Beaupré, PQ by John Young Johnstone sold for $9,360
John Young Johnstone
Beaupré, PQ
4 3/4 x 7 in, 12.1 x 17.8 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000 CDN
Sold for: $9,360 CDN (premium included)
January 2009 - 2nd Session on Thursday, January 29, 2009
From the Quai des Augustins, Quai des Orfèvres, Paris by John Young Johnstone sold for $8,750
John Young Johnstone
From the Quai des Augustins, Quai des Orfèvres, Paris
4 3/4 x 7 in, 12.1 x 17.8 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $8,750 CDN (premium included)
Fall Curated on Saturday, November 26, 2022
Country Villa by John Young Johnstone sold for $7,605
John Young Johnstone
Country Villa
4 3/8 x 5 1/2 in, 11.1 x 14 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000 CDN
Sold for: $7,605 CDN (premium included)
January 2009 - 2nd Session on Thursday, January 29, 2009
Old House, Beauport by John Young Johnstone sold for $7,500
John Young Johnstone
Old House, Beauport
5 1/4 x 7 in, 13.3 x 17.8 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $7,500 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art on Thursday, May 27, 2021
Back River by John Young Johnstone sold for $7,475
John Young Johnstone
Back River
9 1/2 x 13 in, 24.1 x 33 cm
oil on panel
Estimate: $7,000 - $9,000 CDN
Sold for: $7,475 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art Fall 2005 on Thursday, November 24, 2005