The first-ever museum exhibition dedicated to the Montréal-born painter John Little (1928–2024)

June 20 – September 28, 2025

Château Ramezay, Montréal, Québec — From June 20 to September 28, 2025, the first-ever museum exhibition dedicated to renowned Montréal-born painter John Little (1928–2024) will be on view at Château Ramezay.

Widely regarded as one of Canada’s foremost urban artists, Little devoted his life to capturing and preserving Montréal’s architectural heritage through art. Despite his achievements, Little remained an intensely private figure, declining interviews and exhibition opportunities throughout his career.

From the streets of St. Henri to Plateau-Mont-Royal, Little’s paintings vividly depict the spirit and daily life of Montréal during the 1950s and 1960s. Today, these works serve as invaluable visual archives, as many of the buildings and neighbourhoods he portrayed have since vanished. His art remains a poignant testament to the loss of historic districts across North America.

In a 1961 interview with Maclean’s Magazine, Little lamented the city’s ongoing demolition of heritage buildings, remarking:

“If we knock down all our old buildings… we’ll become a people without a past.”

The Exhibition

Curated by Craig Klinkhoff, this landmark exhibition brings together approximately 30 artworks from 14 private collections, alongside preparatory materials drawn from the artist’s studio archives. Visitors will experience Little’s vibrant palette, iconic winter scenes, and the unmistakable charm of Montréal’s urban landscape.

With each canvas, the exhibition invites visitors to step into Montréal’s past — and perhaps to recognize a beloved street corner or forgotten memory brought back to life.

Media Contact:

Craig Klinkhoff

craig@klinkhoff.art