William Arthur Winter "Young Girl w Rope" Drawing

Updated August 7, 2026

Original Pencil & Watercolour, 1983 Artist: William Arthur Winter, RCA, OSA, CGP, CSPWC (Canadian, 1909–1996) Title: Young Girl with Rope Date: 1983 Medium: Pencil and Watercolour on paper Signature: Signed and dated lower right, "Winter '83" Sight Size: 11 x 8.5 in. Frame Size: 17 x 14 in. A charming original mixed-media work by celebrated Canadian artist William Arthur Winter, depicting a young girl playfully skipping rope. Executed in 1983 using expressive pencil line enhanced with warm watercolour washes, the composition exemplifies Winter's lifelong fascination with childhood and everyday moments. The fluid, economical drawing captures both movement and innocence, while the subtle colour accents lend warmth and vitality to the figure. Winter's works featuring children are among his most recognizable and sought-after subjects, reflecting his ability to combine modernist draftsmanship with warmth and humour. This intimate original drawing is an excellent example of the artist's mature style and would appeal to collectors of twentieth-century Canadian figurative art. Artist Biography: William Arthur Winter (1909–1996) was one of Canada's foremost twentieth-century painters, illustrators, muralists, and educators. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he studied at the Winnipeg School of Art under Frank H. Johnston of the Group of Seven and Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald, before moving to Toronto in 1937. There he became a successful commercial artist, co-founding the influential advertising firm Wookey, Winter, Bush with fellow artist Jack Bush. Although his early work reflected the social realism of the 1940s and 1950s, Winter later became widely admired for his joyful depictions of children, family life, ballet, urban scenes, and figures. Working in oil, watercolour, gouache, pencil, ink, and mixed media, he developed a highly individual style characterized by expressive line, wit, and humanity. Winter was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) and was also a member of the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), the Canadian Group of Painters (CGP), and the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC). His works are represented in numerous important public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and the Canada Council Art Bank.

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