Miller Brittain
(1912–)
(–1968)
Miller Brittain
1912–1968
Miller Gore Brittain (1912–1968) was a Canadian artist known for his figurative paintings, murals, and prints. He was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, and spent most of his life there. Brittain was largely self-taught as an artist, but he received some formal training at 17 when he attended the Saint John Vocational School. In the 1930s, he was employed by the National Film Board of Canada as a designer and storyboard artist. During this time, he began to develop his artistic style and interests.
Brittain's early work was heavily influenced by social realism, a style popular in the 1930s. He depicted scenes of everyday life, often featuring working-class people, in a detailed and realistic manner. In the 1940s, he turned to more allegorical themes and began experimenting with abstraction.
One of Brittain's most notable works is the mural he painted for the post office in Saint John in 1948. The mural, titled "Resources of New Brunswick," depicts the natural resources and industries of the province in a stylized and colourful manner. Brittain's murals can also be found in other public buildings across Canada, including a mural for the Canadian Pavilion at the 1967 Expo in Montreal.
Brittain was also a prolific printmaker, and he produced a large body of etchings and lithographs throughout his career. Many of his prints depict scenes of rural life, maritime landscapes, and the people of Atlantic Canada. Brittain's work is in the collections of major Canadian museums, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. In 1978, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian art.
