J.D. Kelly 1862-1958

Photo by contributor Brian Schuette - Posted July, 2005

Plaque Location

The County of Northumberland
The Municipality of Trent Hills
In Warkworth, in a park at the intersection of
Mill Street and Old Hastings Road

Coordinates: N 44 12.080 W 77 53.354

Plaque Text

John David Kelly, a gifted painter and illustrator, is best known for his meticulously researched paintings depicting important events in Canada's history. Many of Kelly's paintings and sketches were commissioned for reproduction and were widely distributed. The artist was born at Gore's Landing in 1862 and grew up in Percy Township. He graduated from the Ontario School of Art in 1882, contributed to the noted calendars of the Toronto Art League, and was active in the Graphics Arts Club and the Ontario Society of Artists. Kelly's historical painting is represented in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Related Ontario plaque
Gore's Landing

More
Arts

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted May 3, 2012
I found 2 of JD Kelly's art work in mom's closet. She passed away in 2011 at age 88. I have no idea if these are lithographs or what and if of any value. In addition, my mom's grandmother was Lenora Kelly from PA and I wonder if there is any family connection?
Katie McCarron

Posted April 1, 2012
I have what appears to be a pencil/graphite sketch of a masted ship emerging from the fog signed John Kelly with an A/P next to his signature.. Any ideas?

Posted January 8, 2012
How can I get values for his work? I have The first harvest in Canada and Canada after sixty years. Thanks

Posted March 18, 2011
My father was an artist and JD Kelly visited him many times, and once he gave my father some of his old quill paint brushes, and I have one of them. I also gave one to one of JD's great grand daughters (I'm not certain of the liniage,as she could be a great niece). I enjoy his work, and he was one of very few artists that my father could tolerate.

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