Roland Gissing (1895-1967)

Roland Gissing (1895-1967) ASA
Title: ” Mt Columbia ”
Canvas size: 16″ x 20″ (19 1/2” x 23 1/2” framed )
Offering compelling value for a piece of national heritage……… $3,450.00 Canadian

Provenance & Historical Record: Eatons & Ambassador Garland

The Summit of a Legacy: Mt. Columbia by Roland Gissing

Imagine a crisp afternoon in the 1940s. In a grand residence in Dublin, Ireland, a piece of the Canadian wild hangs on the wall—a window back home for Edward Joseph Garland, Canada’s diplomat to the Emerald Isle. Though surrounded by the lush greens of Ireland, Garland looked upon the rugged, sun-drenched peaks of the Alberta Rockies, specifically the towering Mt. Columbia.

This painting is a traveler. Originally acquired from the prestigious T. Eaton Co. Picture Department, it followed Garland through the highest levels of Canadian political and diplomatic life. From the halls of Parliament to the diplomatic circles of Europe, this canvas remained a constant companion.

Following a meticulous professional cleaning and revarnishing in 2017, the work has been restored to its original mid-century brilliance. The “Gissing Blue” of the mountain shadows and the warm, autumnal hues of the foreground pines are as vibrant today as when they first left the artist’s easel. This is more than a landscape; it is a storied artifact of Canadian heritage.

Provenance & Authentication

Artist: Roland Gissing (1895–1967). Signed “R. GISSING” lower right.
Subject: Mt. Columbia, Alberta (identified via verso inscription).
Original Retailer: The T. Eaton Co. Limited, Canada (Original gallery label intact).
Original Owner: Edward Joseph Garland (1885–1974), prominent Canadian MP and Ambassador to Ireland, Norway, and Iceland. (Identification labels attached)
Documented Journey: Includes original transport label from Strahan & Co. Ltd. Warehousing, Dublin, dating to the owner’s diplomatic service in Ireland.
Condition: Professionally cleaned and revarnished in 2017. The paint surface is stable and vibrant.

Artist Biography: Roland Gissing (1895–1967)

Known as “The People’s Artist” of Alberta, Roland Gissing is perhaps the most beloved chronicler of the Canadian West. Born in England, Gissing moved to Canada in 1913, captivated by the romance of the cowboy lifestyle. He settled near Cochrane, Alberta, where the intersection of the rolling foothills and the jagged Rockies became his lifelong muse.

Gissing’s work is celebrated for its atmospheric light and honest portrayal of the wilderness. Gissing remained a traditionalist, capturing the “spirit of the land” in a way that resonated deeply with the people who lived there. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Glenbow Museum and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and were famously collected by figures ranging from HRH Queen Elizabeth II to local ranching families.

Technical Specifications

Medium: Oil on Canvas
Canvas Size: 16” x 20”
Condition: The painting is in excellent, stable condition. It exhibits minor areas of fine, light craquelure consistent with its age, which was professionally preserved during its 2017 conservation. The paint layer is secure, and the colours remain vibrant under a fresh archival varnish.
Framed Size: Approximately 19 1/2” x 23 1/2”
Frame: Original -appropriate ornate gold-tone gallery frame – restored