Kent Monkman (1965-), “Protecting the Medicines,” 2023. Courtesy of the artist. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
In the 17th century, the French Royal Academy coined the term history painting to describe large-scale works that were generally understood to depict an important event or action involving many people. The happenings could be historical, religious, or even mythological in nature. This genre was particularly influential between the 15th and 19th centuries—even before there was a name for it. While we might look at these paintings and instantly associate them with the long past, Canadian artist Kent Monkman ushers them into the present with his monumental compositions.
Monkman is a First Nations artist of Cree ancestry who combines history painting with a contemporary point of view. And now, a solo exhibition of his work is on view at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art (MMFA), with 40 paintings on display. Titled History is Painted by the Victors, the pieces depict compositions that have the hallmarks of the style: large, sprawling scenes featuring several or more individuals with everything realistically rendered.
Where Monkman’s work differs is in the finer points of its content. Although he borrows from the visual language of European painting—recalling George Catlin and Albert Bierstadt, as well as the masters like Rembrandt and Rubens—Monkman paints people and the territories that have shaped Turtle Island (North America). His scenes have the veneer of the historic genre, but a closer look at Monkman’s subjects reveals themes of climate change, ecological stewardship, the consequences of government policies on historically marginalized peoples, intergenerational trauma, and the role of Two-Spirit queer and transgender Indigenous communities.
The MMFA exhibition features an installation of two of Monkman’s paintings from the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Titled mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People), it marks the first time the diptych has been exhibited in Canada. The two paintings that comprise it are Welcoming the Newcomers and Resurgence of the People. Within both works is the humorous and mischievous Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, who acts as Monk’s alter-ego, in the tradition of how non-Indigenous artists working in the American West would paint themselves into their works.
History is Painted by the Victors is on view at MMFA until March 8, 2026.
The term “history painting” describes large-scale works that were generally understood to depict an important event or action involving many people.
Kent Monkman (1965-), “mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People): Resurgence of the People,” 2019. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Donald R. Sobey Foundation CAF Canada Project Gift. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
This genre was particularly influential between the 15th and 19th centuries. While we might look at these paintings and instantly associate them with the long past, Canadian artist Kent Monkman ushers them into the present with his monumental compositions.
Kent Monkman (1965-), “Trappers of Men,” 2006. MMFA, purchase, Horsley and Annie Townsend Bequest, anonymous gift and gift of Dr. Ian Hutchison. © Kent Monkman. Photo MMFA, Christine Guest
Kent Monkman (1965-), “The Great Mystery,” 2023. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth, purchased through the Miriam H. and S. Sidney Stoneman Acquisition
Fund. © and image courtesy of Kent Monkman
Monkman is a First Nations artist of Cree ancestry who combines history painting with a contemporary point of view.
Kent Monkman (1965-), “Intermediary study for The Going Away Song,” 2024. Sobey Art Foundation Collection. © and courtesy of Kent Monkman
His scenes have the veneer of the historic genre, but a closer look at Monkman’s subjects reveals themes of climate change, ecological stewardship, the consequences of government policies on historically marginalized peoples, and more.
Kent Monkman (1965-), “The Deluge,” 2019. Private collection, Canada. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
Kent Monkman (1965-), “Saturnalia,” 2017. Collection of Alfredo and Moira Romano. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
Kent Monkman (1965-), “The King’s Beavers,” 2011. MMFA, gift of the artist and W. Bruce C. Bailey in honour of Nathalie Bondil to mark the 150th anniversary of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. © Kent Monkman. Photo MMFA, Christine Guest
Kent Monkman (1965-), “Sunday in the Park,” 2010. Collection of Belinda Stronach. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
Kent Monkman (1965-), “Constellation of Knowledge,” 2022. Collection of Pierre Lassonde. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
Monkman’s solo exhibition of his work is on view at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art (MMFA), with 40 paintings on display.
Titled History is Painted by the Victors, the pieces depict compositions that have the hallmarks of the style: large, sprawling scenes featuring several or more individuals with everything realistically rendered.
