15 iconic paintings of Toronto worth knowing about

Toronto's depiction in paintings doesn't seem to get much attention, particularly these days as we're inundated with photographic images of the city at an astonishing pace. Yet, even as Toronto is not a place with an enormous catalogue of artwork devoted to it (compared to say Paris or New York), there's a rich artistic history to be found if you care to look.

The last time I visited this subject, I wanted to draw attention to Edith G. Firth's Toronto in Art, a book which is sadly no longer in print. This collection expands on the previous one by adding significant works by John DeRinzy, William Kurelek, Peter Doig, Brian Kipping, and two of Toronto's most prolific plein air painters, Jerry Campbell and Michael Pieczonka.

Take a tour of Toronto through the eyes of a painter.

Lawren Harris, House on St. Patrick St. 1922

Tom Roberts, City Lights 1945

John DeRinzy, Men excavating timber-lined trench 1950

Albert Franck, Behind Massey Street 1966

Clark McDougal, A&A Music 1969

Kim Ondaatje, The Hearn 1974

William Kurelek, Balsam Avenue After Heavy Snowfall

William Kurelek, And in Harvest of Our Mere Humanism

Les Tait, 1182 Bloor Street West, 1982

Peter Doig, Country-Rock (Wing-Mirror), 1999

Peter Harris, Dundas Garden 2005

Michael Pieczonka, Captain John's, 2000s

Brian Kipping, Union Station 6:58pm 2005

Jerry Campbell, Toronto Skyline 2014

What's your favourite painting of Toronto? Share your contributions in the comments.

Lead painting by Walter Coucill (Eaton Centre Excavation 1975)