This mid‑20th‑century scene, Lime Street in St. John’s, Newfoundland, captures a residential St. John’s streetscape through Roberts’s signature observational realism. The composition features tightly aligned wooden row houses painted in warm pastels set close to the road, with sloped sidewalks and scattered figures living their daily life. Behind the houses we see St. John’s Harbour and distant rolling hills. Executed in oil on board, Roberts applies confident, moderately textured brushwork, balancing architectural clarity with a vivid coastal light.

Tom Roberts, a prominent Canadian artist and educator, frequently painted Maritime urban locales during the 1960s and 70s. St. John’s, Newfoundland is one of the oldest cities in North America and the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Situated on the eastern edge of the Avalon Peninsula, the city is known for its vibrant row houses, steep streets, and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. With its unique blend of maritime culture, historic architecture, and rugged coastal landscape, St. John’s has long inspired artists drawn to its character and charm. In the mid-20th century, its everyday scenes, quiet neighborhoods, working harbours, and dramatic natural surroundings offered rich subject matter for painters like Tom Roberts, who captured the spirit of the city through expressive realism. Other important Canadian artists who also painted St. John’s and the surrounding region are Jack Beder and Franklin Arbuckle.

This piece measures 22 x 32 inches and is signed on the bottom left.