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The 5 Most Famous Hortense Gordon Paintings, Each One of a Kind
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 5 works by Hortense Gordon in our catalogue
In short
Black and Red (1955) is the Hortense Gordon painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. After it, the eye goes to Horizontals and Verticals (1955) and Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space (1952). Among the 5 works of Hortense Gordon in our catalog, these 5 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
1886 – 1961, Hamilton
Most works: The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Top 10 paintings by Hortense Gordon, through the gallery's eye
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Horizontals and Verticals
In the realm of mid-century Canadian abstraction, few works capture the rhythmic tension between structure and spontaneity as effectively as Horizontals and Verticals. Painted in 1955, this masterpiece by Hortense Mattice Gordon serves as a vibrant testament to the era's shift toward non-objective expression. At first glance, the eye is drawn into a kaleidoscopic dance of shapes where the boundaries between recognizable objects and pure abstraction begin to dissolve. The…
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Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space
In the vibrant landscape of mid-century abstraction, few works capture the kinetic energy of color quite like Hortense Mattice Gordon’s Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space. Created in 1952, this masterpiece serves as a breathtaking window into a world where geometry and emotion collide. At first glance, the eye is immediately drawn to the central solar orb, a luminous focal point that radiates warmth and light. This central circle acts…
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The subjects that held Hortense Gordon's eye
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
Abstract 2 works
Geometric shapes 2 works
The museums that keep Hortense Gordon's originals
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Hortense Gordon | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Robert McLaughlin Gallery |
Oshawa | 3 | Horizontals and Verticals, Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space, Idyll Vase |
 National Gallery of Canada |
Ottawa | 2 | Black and Red, Overlooking the Harbour, Gloucester |
Hortense Gordon across the decades: one unique original for each
Works per decade
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Hortense Gordon's paintings: questions for the gallery
What is the single most famous work of Hortense Gordon?Reveal the answer
Black and Red (1955), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Horizontals and Verticals (1955) and Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space (1952) come next.
At what age did Hortense Gordon create Black and Red?Reveal the answer
69 years old: Black and Red dates from 1955, and Hortense Gordon was born in 1886.
How many works by Hortense Gordon are known?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 5 works by Hortense Gordon, dated from 1911 to 1955.
Where can the most famous Hortense Gordon originals be seen?Reveal the answer
Mostly in The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (Oshawa) and National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa). The museum table above lists them all.
During which period did Hortense Gordon create the best-known paintings?Reveal the answer
In 1950s: 3 of the 5 works on this page were made then, Black and Red among them.
Which famous Hortense Gordon painting is the earliest, and which the latest?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Idyll Vase (1911) and the latest Black and Red (1955).
What subjects did Hortense Gordon favour?Reveal the answer
Abstract (2) and Geometric shapes (2), across the 5 works on this page.
What Hortense Gordon originals can I see at the The Robert McLaughlin Gallery?Reveal the answer
Horizontals and Verticals, Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space and Idyll Vase: the The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa holds 3 of the works on this page.
Hortense Gordon: a portrait of the artist
early life and teaching career
hortense crompton mattice, later known as hortense mattice gordon, was born on november 24, 1886, in hamilton, ontario, canada. before gaining recognition as an artist, gordon taught art for thirty years at a technical school in her hometown.artistic career and style
gordon's artistic career gained momentum in later life, particularly with her abstract works. she became a member of the prestigious painters eleven, a group known for their collective approach to art. her first solo exhibition took place in new york city in 1952, marking a significant milestone in her career.contributions and legacy
throughout her career, gordon was known for her abstract paintings and contributions to the canadian art scene. as an artist, she played a crucial role in shaping the country's artistic landscape. her work continues to inspire new generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike.notable artworks and collections
* hortense mattice gordon's artworks can be found in various collections, including those at OriginalUniqueArt's gallery, which features a range of her abstract pieces. * for more information on gordon's style and contributions, visit OriginalUniqueArt's art history collection.museums and galleries featuring similar artists
* the staatsgalerie moderner kunst in munich, germany, features an extensive collection of modern art, including works by artists similar to gordon. learn more about the museum at OriginalUniqueArt's museum collection. * the tom thomson art gallery in ontario, united states, showcases the works of another canadian artist. discover more about tom thomson and his art at OriginalUniqueArt's museum collection.key dates
- november 24, 1886: born in hamilton, ontario, canada
- 1952: first solo exhibition in new york city
- november 6, 1961: passed away in hamilton, ontario, canada