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Art and Rivalry: The Marriage of Mary and Christopher Pratt
The unauthorized biography of Canada's most famous artist couple and the rivalry that drove them.
She painted as if with pure light, radiant colours making quotidian kitchen scenes come alive with sublimated drama. He painted like clockwork, each stroke precise and measured with exquisite care, leaving no angle unchecked and no subtlety of tone unattended. Some would say Mary Pratt was fire and Christopher, ice. And yet Newfoundland's Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (or Jackson Pollack and Lee Krasner...) presented their marriage as a portrait of harmony and balance. But balance off the canvas rarely makes great art, and the Pratts' art was spectacular.
As a youth at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Mary pursued her future husband, a prodigious art talent, and supported his determination to study painting instead of medicine. They married and removed themselves to a Newfoundland outport where his painting alone provided the means to raise a family. But as Mary's own talents became evident and she sought her own hours at the easel, when not raising their four children, and as rumours of Christopher's affair with a young model spread, the Pratts' harmonious exterior slowly cracked, to scandal in Newfoundland and fascination across the country. A marriage ended, and gave way to a furious competition for dominance in Canadian art.
She painted as if with pure light, radiant colours making quotidian kitchen scenes come alive with sublimated drama. He painted like clockwork, each stroke precise and measured with exquisite care, leaving no angle unchecked and no subtlety of tone unattended. Some would say Mary Pratt was fire and Christopher, ice. And yet Newfoundland's Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (or Jackson Pollack and Lee Krasner...) presented their marriage as a portrait of harmony and balance. But balance off the canvas rarely makes great art, and the Pratts' art was spectacular.
As a youth at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Mary pursued her future husband, a prodigious art talent, and supported his determination to study painting instead of medicine. They married and removed themselves to a Newfoundland outport where his painting alone provided the means to raise a family. But as Mary's own talents became evident and she sought her own hours at the easel, when not raising their four children, and as rumours of Christopher's affair with a young model spread, the Pratts' harmonious exterior slowly cracked, to scandal in Newfoundland and fascination across the country. A marriage ended, and gave way to a furious competition for dominance in Canadian art.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 8, 2019
It was hard to get too excited about this book about artists Christopher Pratt and Mary West Pratt. Maybe I'm just not that interested in art. Looking at their paintings online didn't make me any more interested, either. Can two talented artist make a good marriage? The Pratts did for a while, with Mary Pratt's art being pushed into the background for years, since she was doing all the homemaking and child care for four children. Even when she started painting again and getting attention, the marriage seemed solid. (It was interesting to note, too, that neither drank alcohol.)
At some point, however, Mr. Pratt wanted to paint nudes, and started painting young girls who came to work in the Pratt home. One named Donna, who was like a member of the family, became his muse and lover. Mrs. Pratt finally figured out what was going on, and got her "revenge" by also painting pictures of Donna nude, using photographs taken of her by her husband. Sounds sort of kinky, doesn't it? Author Carol Bishop-Gwyn doesn't make it sound kinky, but seems to be understanding about the situation. Mary West was a woman fighting for what was hers, including her own artistic talent.
Donna left one day and interestingly remained a family friend. The next serious threat was Jeanette and that broke up the marriage. Jeanette was quiet and not well educated, but she would become a big help to Christopher Pratt's art production, travelled places with him,and eventually married him much later. It didn't last. Throughout this all, both Mary and Christopher Pratt created art that got a lot of attention and sold well. All in all it was a somewhat interesting story, but I'm glad it wasn't any longer.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher or author.)
At some point, however, Mr. Pratt wanted to paint nudes, and started painting young girls who came to work in the Pratt home. One named Donna, who was like a member of the family, became his muse and lover. Mrs. Pratt finally figured out what was going on, and got her "revenge" by also painting pictures of Donna nude, using photographs taken of her by her husband. Sounds sort of kinky, doesn't it? Author Carol Bishop-Gwyn doesn't make it sound kinky, but seems to be understanding about the situation. Mary West was a woman fighting for what was hers, including her own artistic talent.
Donna left one day and interestingly remained a family friend. The next serious threat was Jeanette and that broke up the marriage. Jeanette was quiet and not well educated, but she would become a big help to Christopher Pratt's art production, travelled places with him,and eventually married him much later. It didn't last. Throughout this all, both Mary and Christopher Pratt created art that got a lot of attention and sold well. All in all it was a somewhat interesting story, but I'm glad it wasn't any longer.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher or author.)
October 3, 2019
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Art and Rivalry The Marriage of Christopher and Mary Pratt by Carol Bishop-Gwyn is well written and meticulously researched and strives to present facts without making judgment. I recently was following a discussion about famous males and that the reason that they are able to accomplish their great deeds of discovery and art is because they had someone at home taking care of life’s necessities leaving them with the free time to create.
I would say that this would definitely be the case for Christopher Pratt, without Mary he would never have succeeded as an artist. Mary on the other hand was not only capable of taking care of life’s necessities but also of creating a career as an artist while raising 4 children and having an extremely selfish husband who required a lot of care as well. I did find it difficult not to judge both Mary and Christopher Pratt by today’s standards especially with regard to Chrisopher’s habit of sleeping with the teenage mother helpers they employed and Mary not doing more to protect these young woman from her predator husband. Definitely not a comfortable read but interesting all the same. Publishing Date October 8, 2019 #NetGalley #ArtAndRivalry #CarolBishopGwyn #Biography #PenguinRandomHouseCanada #Bookstagram
I would say that this would definitely be the case for Christopher Pratt, without Mary he would never have succeeded as an artist. Mary on the other hand was not only capable of taking care of life’s necessities but also of creating a career as an artist while raising 4 children and having an extremely selfish husband who required a lot of care as well. I did find it difficult not to judge both Mary and Christopher Pratt by today’s standards especially with regard to Chrisopher’s habit of sleeping with the teenage mother helpers they employed and Mary not doing more to protect these young woman from her predator husband. Definitely not a comfortable read but interesting all the same. Publishing Date October 8, 2019 #NetGalley #ArtAndRivalry #CarolBishopGwyn #Biography #PenguinRandomHouseCanada #Bookstagram
October 31, 2020
A fascinating picture of a fraught artistic marriage. Perfect for anyone interested in art, Canadian art, and the delicate nature of inspiration. Mary Pratt is a painter of domestic details. Christopher's domain are empty spaces without people. Carol Bishop Gwyn finds reasons behind these artistic preoccupations and, in the process of doing it, enriches our reception of Mary's and Christopher's paintings.
February 15, 2021
Art and Rivalry deals with the art careers and marital relationship of the Canadian artists, Christopher and Mary Pratt, or as implied by the book’s rivalry focus, Christopher Pratt and Mary Pratt.
Early on in Rivalry, Christopher asks Mary if she has any use for a group of photographic slides of his model, Donna Meany.
“Mary took these Kodachrome transparencies and spread them across her lightbox and studied them. The slides of the full-breasted girl unashamed of her nudity and looking directly at Christopher as he snapped the pictures confirmed what she already had suspected: Donna and her husband had already been lovers. In offering her these pictures was Christopher, oblivious to her awareness of his affair. Regardless, Mary decided to take up Christopher’s challenge and to use the slides.”
Mary does not respond by instructing her husband to sleep in the garage. Nor is the underage model/mistress sent away. Donna continues in a double-duty role of helping Mary with the children. Mary “responds” by using her husband’s slides of his nude model as a basis for her Donna nude paintings.
No doubt this is strange conduct. Unconventional does not quite do it justice. However, why is this event presented in the first few pages out of chronological order? Its placement functions like a promotional piece to attract reader attention. The location plants a seed that art rivalry accounts for Chrisptoipher’s behaviour in furnishing the slides and Mary’s conduct in using them. However, planting one good sensationalist seed is insufficient to produce a tell-all” harvest. Art and Rivalry’s core problem is that it doesn’t provide sufficient rivalry events to warrant the author’s seven-year effort to write a book that ostensibly spotlights that aspect of the Pratts relationship.
The Pratts together brought up four children. The Pratt marriage ended in divorce. However, unlike many marriages, their Pratt marriage did not dissolve in acrimony but evolved to living parallel intermingled lives. Post-divorce, they continued a warm and supportive relationship.
Artists as rivals is a familiar genre. Put it this way, Artists as Rivals has rivals. The competition includes books recounting the competitive relationshi[p between Freda Khalho and Diego Rivera, Picasso and Dora Maar, Lee Kasner and Jack Pollock. In comparison, the Pratts are minor league players.
The author focuses on the Pratt’s capacity to present to visitors a compatibility profile that masked underlying marital conflict. This overlooks that many visitors were there on professional interview assignment. Art is a business. An aspect of it is to present an attractive media image. The image can be Hemingway-like carousing. In Pratts’ case, it was projecting a mutually supportive relationship.
Is “Rivalry” the appropriate word to encompass the relationship? The term contemplates two persons. Christopher was not a rival of Mary. It is possible to regard Mary as competitive with her husband. However, the book offers instances when Mary resisted friends’ efforts for her to make time to focus on her work. Her decision to become serious and undertake a separate career flowed from many complex circumstances and factors.
I didn’t know either artist. However, I spoke to two individuals, both of whom had decades-long involvement with the Pratts. I asked whether it had occurred to them to regard the Pratts as rivals. The answer in both cases was never.
Early on in Rivalry, Christopher asks Mary if she has any use for a group of photographic slides of his model, Donna Meany.
“Mary took these Kodachrome transparencies and spread them across her lightbox and studied them. The slides of the full-breasted girl unashamed of her nudity and looking directly at Christopher as he snapped the pictures confirmed what she already had suspected: Donna and her husband had already been lovers. In offering her these pictures was Christopher, oblivious to her awareness of his affair. Regardless, Mary decided to take up Christopher’s challenge and to use the slides.”
Mary does not respond by instructing her husband to sleep in the garage. Nor is the underage model/mistress sent away. Donna continues in a double-duty role of helping Mary with the children. Mary “responds” by using her husband’s slides of his nude model as a basis for her Donna nude paintings.
No doubt this is strange conduct. Unconventional does not quite do it justice. However, why is this event presented in the first few pages out of chronological order? Its placement functions like a promotional piece to attract reader attention. The location plants a seed that art rivalry accounts for Chrisptoipher’s behaviour in furnishing the slides and Mary’s conduct in using them. However, planting one good sensationalist seed is insufficient to produce a tell-all” harvest. Art and Rivalry’s core problem is that it doesn’t provide sufficient rivalry events to warrant the author’s seven-year effort to write a book that ostensibly spotlights that aspect of the Pratts relationship.
The Pratts together brought up four children. The Pratt marriage ended in divorce. However, unlike many marriages, their Pratt marriage did not dissolve in acrimony but evolved to living parallel intermingled lives. Post-divorce, they continued a warm and supportive relationship.
Artists as rivals is a familiar genre. Put it this way, Artists as Rivals has rivals. The competition includes books recounting the competitive relationshi[p between Freda Khalho and Diego Rivera, Picasso and Dora Maar, Lee Kasner and Jack Pollock. In comparison, the Pratts are minor league players.
The author focuses on the Pratt’s capacity to present to visitors a compatibility profile that masked underlying marital conflict. This overlooks that many visitors were there on professional interview assignment. Art is a business. An aspect of it is to present an attractive media image. The image can be Hemingway-like carousing. In Pratts’ case, it was projecting a mutually supportive relationship.
Is “Rivalry” the appropriate word to encompass the relationship? The term contemplates two persons. Christopher was not a rival of Mary. It is possible to regard Mary as competitive with her husband. However, the book offers instances when Mary resisted friends’ efforts for her to make time to focus on her work. Her decision to become serious and undertake a separate career flowed from many complex circumstances and factors.
I didn’t know either artist. However, I spoke to two individuals, both of whom had decades-long involvement with the Pratts. I asked whether it had occurred to them to regard the Pratts as rivals. The answer in both cases was never.
March 10, 2021
I had never heard of Canadian artists Mary and Christopher Pratt before I read this book. Being a Canadian, I’m sure I probably subconsciously did know something about them but, when I saw the book it, did not register as to who they were or what they did. I could not put this book down. It was compelling, not only because the two protagonists were born and bred in Atlantic Canada but their story was a fascinating one to me. Gwyn protrays both characters fully and without reservation. She starts at the beginning - Mary in Fredericton, NB and Christopher in St. John’s, Newfoundland. We learn about their very different childhoods, how they met at Mount Alison University, in Sackville, NB, their marriage and subsequent life mostly in Salmonier, Newfoundland. Mary particularly intrigued me. She came from a time when the woman stepped back and supported the man and that is exactly what Mary did. She did it with grace and Christopher was able to thrive in the atmosphere she provided. She put up with a lot but did a great job of making a home in a remote area where she brought up their four children. It was only in the years after her children grew up that she came into her own as an artist. Their marriage was a strange one. It very much appears that Mary was the lover and Christopher was the loved. It was hard, at times, to read of Christopher’s treatment of her. It was not abuse in the physical sense of the word but he blatantly had affairs with models he painted and assistants who helped him with his work and seemed to have little regard for his wife’s feelings. This is a book that gets you into the mind of an artist - what makes them tick and to create the art they do. I found this story so enthralling that I also watched the documentary “The Life and Times of Mary and Christopher Pratt” produced in 1996 by the CBC that documents their lives and tries to portray what drove them apart, although you are left wondering about this when the book clearly says this documentary does not show the true relationship. A fascinating read about two extremely talented artists who have made Canada proud with their wonderful works of art inspired by their lives, loves, passions and thoughts. Reading about their creative processes was very beautiful and I take my hart off to Carol Bishop Gwyn for her portrayal of these two complex artists who made their marks in the art world. Although Mary has passed on, their works will live on for many to enjoy and ponder as they reflect on why and what drove these two artists to paint what they did and in the way they did.
February 19, 2024
I'm so torn about this book: it doesn't have the depth, for me, of the author's work on Celia Franca, who built up Canadian ballet in countless ways. And it's not because the subjects aren't interesting: both Mary and Christopher Pratt were acclaimed artists (with a time lag, because Mary Pratt's painting career was interrupted by the care of their four children in challenging circumstances--her in-laws' un-insulated summer cottage, where they moved when her husband was overwhelmed by his academic duties and needed to make art full time). Some parts of their story are infuriating: Christopher Pratt had unlimited time and leisure to create, while Mary Pratt has only snatches of time, which instigated her unusual method of painting from photographic slides, mostly of images taken by her husband.
And this is where the story gets rather tawdry, and while Bishop-Gwyn handles it with sensitivity, there's a gaping hole at the middle of this book: how did the young artists' models, including one named Donna--a rural girl who came to them an a teenaged au pair and became Christopher Pratt's model and then his lover--feel about their roles in this artistic household?
It's hard not to read this account without sympathizing chiefly with the young women that the Pratts appear, from Bishop-Gwyn's description, to have treated shabbily.
And yet: Donna sent Mary a fruitcake every year for Christmas, a detail so Munrovian that it made me catch my breath.
I finished this book wanting to know a great deal more about the psychologies and self-justifications of both artists; I wanted a lot more, too, from their children, some of whom have grown up to be gifed and prolific artists in their own right.
And I really--really--wanted to know what Donna thought of this book.
And this is where the story gets rather tawdry, and while Bishop-Gwyn handles it with sensitivity, there's a gaping hole at the middle of this book: how did the young artists' models, including one named Donna--a rural girl who came to them an a teenaged au pair and became Christopher Pratt's model and then his lover--feel about their roles in this artistic household?
It's hard not to read this account without sympathizing chiefly with the young women that the Pratts appear, from Bishop-Gwyn's description, to have treated shabbily.
And yet: Donna sent Mary a fruitcake every year for Christmas, a detail so Munrovian that it made me catch my breath.
I finished this book wanting to know a great deal more about the psychologies and self-justifications of both artists; I wanted a lot more, too, from their children, some of whom have grown up to be gifed and prolific artists in their own right.
And I really--really--wanted to know what Donna thought of this book.
January 14, 2020
This book provides lots of discussion about art with meticulous descriptions of the context within which the paintings were done, either by Christopher Pratt or by Mary Pratt. The real story though, is the emotional pain that erupts on every page as Christopher seemingly tries to detangle from ties to Mary, who, conversely gave up everything, including her own talent for a time...just to be a support to her husband. It hurts to even imagine her bringing up 4 children in an isolated cottage while Christopher paints, goes sailing, fishing, or is otherwise occupied. She must have really wanted to be married to him or alternatively, believed fervently that she was subservient to his talent. In the latter years, its ironic how after the affairs and subsequent marriages to other people, that they somehow found peace not only with each other but with each other’s talents with Christopher by her side, when Mary died last year.
As much as i devoured this book, both with its references to familiar people and places ( my mom actually went to school with Mary Pratt growing up in Fredericton, NB)—i found it unsettling to read a book about someone’s marriage written by a ‘friend’ who read their diaries, interviewed them, and people around them and then, had the audacity to write a book about their private life. I was left feeling skeptical and wondering what their now adult children think about this story and how much of it was ...’true’ or simply a lot of gossip and conjecture. On the flip side, the book made me love Mary and her art all the more.
As much as i devoured this book, both with its references to familiar people and places ( my mom actually went to school with Mary Pratt growing up in Fredericton, NB)—i found it unsettling to read a book about someone’s marriage written by a ‘friend’ who read their diaries, interviewed them, and people around them and then, had the audacity to write a book about their private life. I was left feeling skeptical and wondering what their now adult children think about this story and how much of it was ...’true’ or simply a lot of gossip and conjecture. On the flip side, the book made me love Mary and her art all the more.
December 15, 2021
An interesting look at the marriage of two of Canada's best known artists, Mary West Pratt and Christopher Pratt. She painted pictures of daily life suffused with light and brilliant colour; he painted carefully crafted works in which each line was meticulously placed and the tones were subtle. Fire and ice. They met at Mount Allison and Mary immediately recognized Christopher's great talent, dedicating herself to supporting him. Together they moved to an isolated Newfoundland outport where Mary eventually also began painting again, in-between raising their four children, cooking meals and running the household. At first she ignore the rumours of Christopher's affairs with several young models, but eventually the rot behind the façade of Canada's most famous artistic marriage became clear. An interesting look at the the influence of the artists' lives on their work and the changing role of women as muse and helpmate.
August 1, 2020
For fans of Canadian art history. Insightful about Mary and Christopher Pratt as a married couple, each pursuing their own art career, with Mary carrying the burden of household and children single-handedly – representative of married female artists throughout history, no doubt. The societal context (beginning with the high standing of each of their families) and evolution of the Canadian art market provide fascinating insights, as well.
The writing is straight-forward and breezy and based on an impressive amount of research – however, the book does not fall into the category of “biography as art form”. You'll want to have art books with both artists' works handy to get the most out of the back stories about the artworks (it certainly puts some of their subject choices and presentations into a new light!)
The writing is straight-forward and breezy and based on an impressive amount of research – however, the book does not fall into the category of “biography as art form”. You'll want to have art books with both artists' works handy to get the most out of the back stories about the artworks (it certainly puts some of their subject choices and presentations into a new light!)
July 26, 2020
While I have admired Christopher Pratt's work, it has always been his wife's paintings that have held my interest. There is so much emotion in these perfectly-executed paintings of ordinary kitchen scenes. I had heard an interview on CBC with the author and that made me want to read this book. It was written after Mary Pratt's recent death, and explores the tumultuous relationship and marriage that the two artists had. I found it utterly fascinating to read the stories about many of the paintings I have seen in person. And to have a glimpse into the private lives and personalities of these two artists who couldn't live without each other, but couldn't live with each other. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has been moved by the art of these two Canadian icons.
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January 15, 2020Spoiler-free review: A beautifully written, thoroughly researched portrait of two artists who were perhaps more in competition than in love but whose relationship was enduring nonetheless. I highly recommend searching out an image of each piece as you go... comparing their work was so interesting, as he lovingly captured the isolation and vast space of outport life while she depicted everyday objects in a warm way, in almost riotous colour.
I'm from one of the small communities that Christopher Pratt visited and painted, which was an added bonus.
I'm from one of the small communities that Christopher Pratt visited and painted, which was an added bonus.
January 6, 2020
This was a bit too personal for me and wish I'd had more about their role as artists, but understand book was about their marriage and that was certainly presented. A sorrowful time overall, but good to read again about the trajectory of their careers.
March 21, 2020
A very enjoyable read ! 👍
September 28, 2020
Two of Canada's most revered artists, a very troubled marriage, a strange rivalry involving a model who haunts the book from her youth to her middle age. An engrossing story.
February 17, 2021
Very well done.
November 16, 2025
Fascinating.
November 28, 2022
It saddened me to read of the unhappiness of this talented couple. I have always loved their art and it’s unfortunate how their lives together ended.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews