Canadian Artwork Appraisal

Serge Brunoni original acrylics painting on canvas

Serge Brunoni (1938-2020, Canadian)

“Sèche tes bottes avant un mousseau depart”

Acrylics on canvas

Signed lower right

Signed and titled on reverse

Painted 1989

Certificate label of Galerie Louis Tremblay, Pointe

au Pic, Quebec is affixed to the reverse

36” x 40”

We recently completed a Canadian Artwork Appraisal for a local client, whose collection included this large and impressive original by well known Contemporary Quebec artist Serge Brunoni.

Serge Brunoni was a celebrated Canadian painter whose vibrant, impressionistic works captured the spirit of urban life, the serenity of nature, and the poetic interplay between humankind and its environment. Born on September 3, 1938, in Ligny-en-Barrois in the Lorraine region of France, Brunoni’s life story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless creative exploration. His artistic journey, which took root relatively late in life, established him as one of Quebec and Canada’s most recognized self-taught artists, leaving behind a rich legacy spanning nearly five decades.

Brunoni’s early years were framed by the profound socio-economic upheavals of post-World War II Europe. Growing up in a small French village, he was raised predominantly by his grandparents from the age of four — a period during which his innate affinity for drawing and colour first emerged. Despite his artistic inclinations, the realities of the time compelled him to leave school at the age of 14 to work in a factory, a common occurrence in war-torn France where many youths were pressed into labour.

At around age 20, Brunoni fulfilled his mandatory military service. He served with the French Colonial Forces, stationed in what was then French Equatorial Africa (notably in Brazzaville, now part of the Republic of Congo). This period was transformative: the immense landscapes, vivid light, and cultural vibrancy of Africa deeply impacted him. Though not formally artistic at this stage, the experience fostered a heightened sensitivity to atmosphere and environment — elements that would later permeate his painting.

After his military service and a brief return to France — where he cared for his ailing grandmother — Brunoni sought a fresh start. In August 1963, he emigrated to Canada, arriving in Montreal with limited resources and a determination to build a new life. He soon made his home in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, a city that would remain his base for the rest of his life.

In Trois-Rivières, Brunoni supported his family through various jobs — from working as a cook to selling encyclopedias — while gradually integrating into the cultural fabric of his adopted province. In 1967, he married Suzette Normandin, a native of Trois-Rivières. The couple went on to have two sons, Hugues and Nicolas.

Brunoni’s journey as a painter began somewhat serendipitously. For Christmas 1969, his wife Suzette gifted him a wooden box filled with paints and brushes — a thoughtful gesture that sparked an artistic awakening. At the age of 31, Brunoni painted his first canvas in 1970 and, within a few years, committed himself fully to the craft. By 1972, he had become a professional, self-taught artist.

Unlike many artists who undergo formal academic training, Brunoni’s creative evolution was propelled by instinct, observation, and a ceaseless curiosity about colour, movement, and composition. Though he never enrolled in formal art school, he found guidance through mentorships, friendships with other artists, and his own tireless experimentation with medium and form. His early works already displayed a signature fusion of dynamic brushwork and vibrant hues — qualities that would define his mature style.

Brunoni’s oeuvre reflects a deep engagement with both the human condition and the natural world. Broadly speaking, three enduring themes dominate his body of work: urban life, the solitude of nature, and the symbolism of trains and travel. Masters Gallery+1

• Urban Scenes: Brunoni had a particular affinity for cityscapes, especially those of Montreal, Quebec City, and Trois-Rivières. His paintings often depict bustling streets, public squares, and daily life in motion, all rendered with a vivacious palette and fluid brushstrokes. Figures are not static; they live, move, and interact within their surroundings, suggesting narratives that invite the viewer’s imagination. Serge Brunoni

• Nature and Isolation: In contrast to the vibrant city, many of Brunoni’s works explore the calm and solitude of the natural world. His depictions of forests, rivers, lakes, and snow-covered landscapes emphasize harmony between humans and their environment. Dogs, fishermen, and solitary figures are recurrent motifs that embody this communion with nature.

• Trains and Transition: The motif of railways and station scenes holds symbolic weight in Brunoni’s art. For him, trains represented journeys — both physical and metaphysical — bridging the freedom of nature with the vitality of the urban milieu. This theme echoes his own life’s trajectory, having journeyed from rural France to colonial Africa and finally to Canada.

Critics and admirers alike often situate Brunoni’s style within a broad impressionistic and expressive tradition. His use of bold colours and spontaneous brushwork create an impression of motion and emotion rather than strict realism. His work combines the immediacy of lived experience with a refined sense of harmony, resulting in paintings that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Brunoni’s art entered the public eye in earnest with his first solo exhibition in 1976 at the Kastel Gallery in Montreal. From that point on, his work was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Canada, including galleries in Quebec, Ontario, and beyond. His paintings found homes in private and corporate collections — ranging from banks and major Canadian companies to international collectors — reflecting broad appeal and significant market demand.

Among his honors, Brunoni was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his contributions to the visual arts in Canada, a distinction recognizing his impact on cultural life in Quebec and the broader Canadian art world.

Brunoni was known not only for his artistic achievements but also for his generous spirit. He contributed a portion of his work to charitable causes and was appreciated in his community for his warm and approachable personality. Throughout his career, he painted prolifically — producing thousands of works characterized by joy, colour, and a deep empathy for human experience.

Even as health challenges emerged in his later years, Brunoni’s creative vitality remained undiminished. He completed his final painting in July 2019, around the age of 80, bringing to a close nearly half a century of continuous artistic production.

Serge Brunoni passed away on February 19, 2020, in Trois-Rivières, at the age of 81. His death marked the conclusion of a remarkable journey — from a young boy in post-war France to a beloved figure in Canadian art whose works continue to resonate with collectors, institutions, and admirers around the world.

Brunoni’s legacy is multifaceted. As a self-taught artist, his success stands as a testament to the power of passion, curiosity, and perseverance. His paintings are not only visual narratives but also cultural artifacts that chronicle life in Quebec over decades — urban dynamism, seasonal change, and an enduring affection for the rhythms of everyday existence.

His work remains in the permanent collections of museums such as the Musée Pierre-Boucher and influential private holdings, reaffirming his place in Canadian artistic history. Even today, Brunoni’s work inspires emerging artists and continues to attract attention in gallery exhibitions and art auctions.

In summary, Serge Brunoni’s artistic life was one of reinvention and discovery. From his humble beginnings in rural France, through the rhythms of colonial Africa, to his deep engagement with the cultural landscapes of Quebec, Brunoni crafted an artistic language that celebrated colour, movement, and human connection. His legacy endures through his evocative paintings, which continue to offer viewers a compelling window into the poetry of life.