Albert Edward Cloutier  RCA, CSGA (1902 – 1965)

Albert Cloutier was a painter, commercial artist and muralist who was born in Leominster, Massachusetts and grew up in Montreal.  He also lived in Ottawa and during his time as a war artist was posted in several locations in eastern Canada.  He moved to Saint–Hilaire, Quebec in 1959 where he lived the rest of his life.  His mediums were primarily oils and graphics.  His subjects landscapes, commercial art and (during the war) military.  His style was expressionist and greatly influenced by the Group of Seven.

He studied art under A.Y.Jackson and Edwin Holgate.  And from 1955 until 1965 he taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Montreal.

He spent much of his career as a commercial artist before and after the war.  During World War II he enlisted with the RCAF as a war artist.  His postings included Kingston, Ontario; Newfoundland; and Brig Harbour Island, Labrador.

He was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and of the Graphic Arts Society of Canada.

He showed his work with the RCA from 1932 to 1964 and with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts from 1933 to 1960. His works are in many private collections as well as the National Gallery of Canada and The Canadian War Museum.

He is listed in A Dictionary of Canadian Artists (1974), by Colin S. MacDonald, published by Canadian Paperbacks Ltd. (8 volumes); and in The Collector's Dictionary of Canadian Artists at Auction (2001), by Anthony R. Westbridge and Diana L. Bodnar, published by Westbridge Publications Ltd. (4 Volumes). A chapter is devoted to his work by Ian Thom in his book Murals from a Great Canadian Train (1986), published by Art Global (191 pgs, color and B&W).

Prepared and contributed by M.D. Silverbrooke