John Kasyn’s Montreal Backyard, 1975 presents an intimate, quietly captivating winter scene in the city. The focus is a row of terracotta brick houses, nestled side by side, their pitched roofs and dormer windows dusted with snow. Icicles hang from the eaves, glinting against the deep, rich forest green of a small outbuilding tucked beside the main structure. The snow-covered backyard reflects the soft light filtering through snow-laden clouds, with a splash of pale yellow breaking through, lending warmth to the crisp scene.

The vertical lines of a weathered wooden fence contrast with the horizontal rhythm of the brickwork, emphasizing texture and structure. Kasyn’s realist style renders every detail—from rough brick surfaces to smooth snowdrifts and glistening icicles—inviting the viewer to feel the chill of the season alongside the subtle comforts of domestic life. The painting evokes Montreal’s residential winter atmosphere with both architectural precision and atmospheric nuance.