John Kasyn Polish/Canadian, 1926-2008
Further images
"Back of Kensington St." is a textured oil on masonite painting by John Kasyn, a notable artist who lived from 1926 to 2008. The piece, modest in size at 7.75 x 8 inches, carries Kasyn's signature at the bottom right, anchoring his presence within the work.
This artwork captures the intimate and often overlooked beauty of urban backyards during winter. The focus is a red-brick house with white snow adorning its roof and a green extension that contrasts with the main structure. The scene is common yet unique, with details like icicles hanging from the eaves, snow weighing on the bare branches of a tree, and the rustic wooden fence contributing to the narrative of a quiet, frozen moment in time.
Kasyn's use of colour is both realistic and evocative, with the red of the bricks and the green paint standing out against the monochrome winter landscape. His brushwork adds a tangible texture to the scene, making the viewer almost feel the chill in the air and the crunch of snow underfoot.