Santa Margherita by Wayne Ensrud

“My paintings do not attempt to describe anything but create an atmosphere of joy and love without resorting to literal description. It matters not if I choose to use recognizable form or forms ‘abstracted’ from nature or purely free flowing gestures. It is possible that I have caught a ‘glimpse of the joy as it flies.” – Wayne Ensrud (1934-2024)

Santa Margherita

Original Lithograph, 1980

Signed and Numbered in Pencil

Montreal Art Centre Permanent Collection

About the Artist

Wayne Ensrud, born in Minnesota in 1934, found his calling as an artist during his undergraduate studies in fine arts at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. It was during this time he began a life-long relationship with his mentor, the great Austrian Expressionist artist, Oskar Kokoschka. Ensrud’s career is emphasized by the sheer range and diversity of his artistic talents. His paintings explore the realms of Realism, Surrealism, Constructivism and Expressionism through a wide range of subject matter such as landscapes, still life, portraiture and religious and mythical imagery. Throughout his life, Ensrud has had over 60 exhibitions in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Aside from his successful career in painting, Ensrud also enjoyed an illustrious career in the world of film. Shortly after graduation he became the youngest Art Director of Motion Pictures and Television for the University of California at Berkeley. Which lead to positions as Art Director of programs for ABC, CBS, and NBC.

Santa Margherita was inspired by Ensrud’s journey to the Italian Riviera. The majority of his landscapes were inspired by his European travel. This specific irresistible image captures the charm of a golden Mediterranean Village through vibrant colours and expressive brush work. It is located in the Montreal Art Centre’s library alongside four original etchings by Manabu Kochi, together these five works contribute to the lively and colorful ambience of the room. To locate this beautiful piece in the museum and experience it in person you must enter the Des Seigneurs Gallery located just off reception and take a right into the library, where it can be found next to the window on the outside wall.

More About the Medium:

What is a Lithograph? Lithographs are created through a planographic printmaking process. Lithography begins with the artist drawing their image directly onto a flat stone or prepared metal plate using a variety of materials such as lithographic crayons or special grease pencils. The image is then affixed through a chemical reaction. After this reaction occurs the image is copied onto paper in multiples, resulting in a reverse image of the original composition. Lithography allows artists to create their original artworks directly onto the lithographic stones which makes it a popular medium for fine art prints. The Montreal Art Centre has a number of lithographs in their permanent collection including works by Picasso, Francis Wheatley, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Paul Cezanne.