Sep 9, 2025

Three New Works to See in Moments in Modernism

Works from the early 20th century are now on view in Moments in Modernism

An image of Chaim Soutine's painting The Village Church

Chaïm Soutine. The Village Church, c. 1919-1922. Oil on canvas, Overall: 57.8 x 81.3 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Gift of Sam and Ayala Zacks, 1970. Photo © AGO. 71/333

There’s another moment in modernism to explore on Level 4 of the AGO.

On view now, Moments in Modernism highlights the diversity of the AGO’s modern art collection. The exhibition spans modern art movements, featuring works by artists including Andy Warhol, Helen Frankenthaler, Mark Rothko, and Canadian artists Alex Colville, Rita Letendre, Norval Morrisseau, among many others. The exhibition also showcases modern movements across Brazil, highlighting works by four Brazilian artists, including Tomi Ohtake.

Recently, Moments in Modernism underwent two exciting updates: first, the addition of Inner Momentum, a focused presentation by Allison Katz, the 2023 Gershon Iskowitz Prize recipient, and now, the addition of a selection of important early 20th century works from the AGO Collection.

While most of the works in Moments in Modernism were created after 1960, a new section of the exhibition provides a window into modern art in Europe from 1900 through the 1920s. Impacted by the First World War, artists practicing during this period responded in various ways, some inspired by the geometry of the machine age while others explored the unconscious mind and psychology. Featuring paintings and sculptures by artists including Pablo Picasso, Yves Tanguy, Henri Matisse, and Constantin Brancusi, this new section of Moments of Modernism shows how artists working during this period provided an important foundation for modern artists working later in the century.

Here are three works now on view in Moments of Modernism as part of this new selection of works from the early 20th century.

The Village Church (around 1919-1922) by Chaïm Soutine (Above)

Soutine applied his expressive style to all manner of subjects, ranging from animal carcasses to portraits, but he favoured landscapes especially. This painting was inspired by the picturesque town of Saint Paul de Vence, situated on a hilltop near Nice. Although the town’s medieval church, with houses clustered around it, is apparently the subject of the painting, one could argue that Soutine’s real subject is painting itself. The paint – thick, vivid, and applied with ferocious energy – is a direct expression of the artist’s intense emotions.

Jeannette V (conceived 1916, cast 1930) by Henri Matisse

A picture of Henri Matisse's bust Jeannette.

Henri Matisse. Jeannette V, 1916; cast 1930. Bronze, Overall: 58 x 20.8 x 28.7 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Purchase, 1949. Photo © AGO. 49/45

Best known as a painter, Matisse made over 70 sculptures during his life. Many of these were made during two distinct periods from 1900 to 1916 and again between 1924 and 1932. This sculpture is the last in a series of five heads based on model Jeanne Vaderin. With each version, Matisse moved further away from a faithful likeness of Vaderin, as each sculpture became bolder, more expressive, and more abstract.

Portrait of Dr. Heinrich Stadelmann (1922) by Otto Dix

An image of Otto Dix's painting Portrait of Dr. Heinrich Stadelmann

Otto Dix. Portrait of Dr. Heinrich Stadelmann, 1922. Oil on canvas, Overall: 90.8 x 61 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario. Anonymous gift, 1969; donated by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, 1988. © Art Gallery of Ontario. L69.2

The eccentric Dr. Stadelmann treated wealthy hypochondriacs in a clinic he called the “birdhouse.” In this portrait, the psychiatrist himself appears to be in a state of psychological distress. Dix presents a ruthless caricature focusing on his subject’s huge head and large, bat-like ears. He gives Stadelmann a greenish pallor and emphasizes his bulging, bloodshot eyes – a reference to the doctor's unusual practice of hypnotism.

This is just a small sample of the new selection of works now on view in Moments in Modernism. See works by Picasso, Alberto Giacometti and many more influential 20th-century European artists by visiting Moments in Modernism, currently on view on Level 4 of the AGO.

Moments in Modernism was co-curated by Debbie Johnsen, Assistant Curator, Contemporary Art, and Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO. Moments in Modernism features artworks that will form the cornerstone for the expansion of the new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, starting construction in 2024. The new building is being designed by architects Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect to showcase the AGO's growing collection of modern and contemporary art.