Chagall and Leon Katz

For those Marc Chagall fans who visited the excellent exhibit on his work at the Art Gallery of Ontario and who wish to see more of the Russian painter's work, you might think about making a trip up to the Fisher to see its Chagall.

Titled "Self Portrait," the original Chagall painting is contained in Leon Katz's book of mementos, a two-volume book which consists of 341 paintings, sketches, prints, collages, autographs, partial music scores, poetry and prose. It was collected by Katz, with the help of his wife, Johanna, over nearly three decades, from 1970-98. The book has accompanied the Katzes on their travels across Canada, as well as Cuba, The People’s Republic of China, Mexico, and elsewhere. Among the Canadian contributors in the book include Farley Mowat, Margaret Atwood, Northup Frye, Robertson Davies, Michael Ondaatje, Arthur Lismer and Thoreau MacDonald, who was a frequent contributor.

The first Memento Book was given to Katz by his wife Johanna in the late 1960s. It sat unused in a drawer for many years until early in 1971 when Katz conceived of the idea of “Mementos to Leon,” a book to which various artists he had met and would meet in the future could contribute. The first artist with whom Katz discussed the subject of such a book was Carl Schaefer, and it was Schaefer who contributed the first entry: the pen & ink sketch “The Lilac in Winter at 157 St. Clements Ave" (see below).

To view the finding aid for the Katz Memento Books, please click here.