The artwork "Montreal Backyard, 1975" by John Kasyn showcases a detailed and intimate depiction of an urban winter scene. The focus is on the back of a brick building, characterized by its architectural details like the pitched roof, dormer windows, and a prominent brick chimney. The painting captures the textural contrast between the rough brickwork of the building and the smooth, snow-covered surfaces in the backyard.
Snow rests on the roof edges and window sills, highlighting the cold season in Montreal. The windows reflect a soft light, giving a sense of warmth that contrasts with the outdoor chill. In the foreground, a wooden fence encloses the yard, its slats darkened with age or moisture, standing out against the snow. The fence's vertical lines provide a strong visual contrast to the horizontal lines of the building's architecture.
A small green outbuilding is nestled against the larger structure, introducing a pop of color to the otherwise muted winter tones. The bare branches of trees in the background extend into the sky, which is rendered with a soft, overcast light, typical of winter days. Icicles hang from the eaves, adding to the sense of the season's chill.
Kasyn’s painting style here is realist, capturing the scene with a sense of quiet realism. There is an attention to detail and texture, from the bricks to the weathered wood, that gives the viewer a palpable sense of place. The painting evokes the atmosphere of Montreal's residential areas during the winter, combining architectural study with a depiction of the season's effects.
