Abstract

The role of the dealer in promoting art is an essential but too often neglected area in the discourse surrounding the history of Canadian art, and this is equally true in discussions of the contemporary period. This thesis will consider the career and influence of the Canadian art dealer Mira Godard and her promotion of the work of Canadian and international artists from 1960 to 1983. During these years, Godard owned three galleries: the first was located in Montreal (1961 - 1979), the second in Toronto (1972 - present), and the third in Calgary (1979 - 1983). This thesis will argue that Godard played a significant role in bringing Canadian and international contemporary art to public attention through the numerous exhibitions held in each of her galleries. This text is structured in three principal chapters. The first chapter is concerned with a brief overview of the history of art dealing and the contribution of selected art dealers. The focus then moves to a general discussion of the Canadian art market and is followed by a brief biography of Mira Godard and the origins of her gallery in Montreal. The second chapter is devoted to Godard's Montreal gallery and its promotion of Quebec artists as well as the production of international art exhibitions. The following chapter deals with her gallery in Toronto, the widening of her stable of artists and her relationship with the international gallery, Marlborough. Because Godard's Calgary gallery was active for a relatively short period, it will be discussed in the concluding chapter. The thesis is further supported by two appendices: a chronology of the exhibitions at her three galleries from 1961- 1982, followed by a list of the publications published by Godard from 1961 to 1984.