Willard Morse Mitchell (February 14, 1879 – June 15, 1955) was a Canadian artist and architect celebrated for his exquisite miniature watercolour paintings of rural Quebec and Maritime landscapes. His delicately painted scenes, typically smaller than a postcard, captured the spirit of early 20th-century Canada and remain highly sought after by collectors today.
Willard Morse Mitchell; The Habitant Tea House
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, the youngest of six children, Mitchell attended Rothesay Collegiate School before training in art and architecture under R.C. John Dunn and later the firm of McKean & Dunn. In 1903, he opened his own architectural practice in Saint John and in 1904 moved to Amherst, Nova Scotia, where he served as the town architect for nearly two decades while continuing to paint in his spare time.
Willard Morse Mitchell; The Famous Little Bonsecours Church
By the early 1920s, Mitchell turned his full attention to art. After brief years in Belleville, Ontario (1923–1926), he relocated to Montreal in 1927, devoting himself entirely to painting and exhibiting regularly at the Art Association of Montreal (now the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts) in 1927 and 1928. He remained in Montreal until his death in 1955.
Willard Morse Mitchell; The Seminary of the Suplican
Mitchell’s art is distinctive for its miniature format, often measuring just 2" × 3" or 3" × 4". He painted hundreds of small but beautifully composed landscapes, streetscapes, and rural vignettes, many showing the Laurentians, Saguenay River, Tadoussac, Île d’Orléans, Percé Rock, and Old Montreal. Each watercolour was placed in a hand-carved wooden frame and backed with a printed description written by the artist himself. His method involved tracing favourite compositions using carbon paper, allowing him to recreate popular scenes while maintaining the individuality of each work.
Willard M. Mitchell; City of Quebec from the St. Lawrence River
From around 1928 to 1954, Mitchell’s miniature watercolours became popular souvenirs sold through Canada Steamship Lines gift shops and their hotel boutiques across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Tourists cherished his works as authentic tokens of Canadian beauty and craftsmanship. In addition to his Canadian subjects, Mitchell painted scenes during travels to Italy, Britain, Morocco, and Greece, though these foreign views are rare and highly prized today.
Willard Morse Mitchell; Sunset, Saguenay River
Throughout his career, Mitchell produced thousands of watercolours, many repeating beloved motifs but also numerous one-of-a-kind compositions that reveal his keen sense of colour, atmosphere, and architectural balance. His watercolours—whether depicting Quebec villages blanketed in snow, Laurentian farms, or coastal scenes of the Maritimes—demonstrate a consistent refinement and charm.
Willard Morse Mitchell; Skiing, Montreal Scene
Willard Mitchell passed away in Montreal on June 15, 1955, at the age of 76, still painting until his final months. His miniature watercolours continue to be treasured across Ontario, Quebec, and the East Coast, embodying a nostalgic vision of Canada’s early modern era.