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The 3 Most Famous Mary Pratt Paintings, Each One of a Kind
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 3 works by Mary Pratt in our catalogue
In short
Red Currant Jelly (1972) is the Mary Pratt painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. After it, the eye goes to Split Grilse (1979) and Étude 17 en Couleur (2002). Among the 3 works of Mary Pratt in our catalog, these 3 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
1935 – 2018, Fredericton
Most works: National Gallery of Canada
Top 10 paintings by Mary Pratt, through the gallery's eye
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Split Grilse
Two salmon fillets rest upon a sheet of transparent plastic wrap, their forms centered and symmetrical in a quiet, still life. The light is soft and diffused, washing over the subjects without the intrusion of harsh shadows. Every detail of the fish is rendered with a meticulous precision that captures the sheen of the skin and the subtle, organic variations within the flesh. Shades of orange and red dominate the…
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Étude 17 en Couleur
Étude 17 en Couleur is a painting by the artist Mary Pratt. This specific work was created about 2002. The piece is currently held within the Kinsey African American Art - History Collection, located in Los Angeles, United States of America.
The museums that keep Mary Pratt's originals
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Mary Pratt | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 National Gallery of Canada |
Ottawa | 1 | Red Currant Jelly |
 McMichael Canadian Art Collection |
Vaughan | 1 | Split Grilse |
 The Kinsey African American Art - History Collection |
Los Angeles | 1 | Étude 17 en Couleur |
Mary Pratt across the years: the unique originals of each
A long career of 31 years, 1972 to 2002: Mary Pratt's most famous originals, shown year by year.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
1979
Split Grilse
Age 44
1 work this year
Two salmon fillets rest upon a sheet of transparent plastic wrap, their forms centered and symmetrical in a quiet, still life. The light is soft and diffused, washing over the subjects without the intrusion of harsh shadows. Every detail of the fish is rendered with a meticulous precision that captures the sheen of the skin and the subtle, organic variations within the flesh. Shades of orange and red dominate the…
2002
Étude 17 en Couleur
Age 67
1 work this year
Étude 17 en Couleur is a painting by the artist Mary Pratt. This specific work was created about 2002. The piece is currently held within the Kinsey African American Art - History Collection, located in Los Angeles, United States of America.
Mary Pratt's paintings: questions for the gallery
What is the single most famous work of Mary Pratt?Reveal the answer
Red Currant Jelly (1972), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Split Grilse (1979) and Étude 17 en Couleur (2002) come next.
At what age did Mary Pratt create Red Currant Jelly?Reveal the answer
37 years old: Red Currant Jelly dates from 1972, and Mary Pratt was born in 1935.
How many works by Mary Pratt are known?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 3 works by Mary Pratt, dated from 1972 to 2002.
Where can the most famous Mary Pratt originals be seen?Reveal the answer
Mostly in National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), McMichael Canadian Art Collection (Vaughan) and The Kinsey African American Art - History Collection (Los Angeles). The museum table above lists them all.
Which famous Mary Pratt painting is the earliest, and which the latest?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Red Currant Jelly (1972) and the latest Étude 17 en Couleur (2002).
Mary Pratt: a portrait of the artist
early life and education
mary frances pratt, a prominent figure in canadian art, was born in fredericton, new brunswick, in 1935. her early life was marked by a curious nature, encouraged by her mother, katherine eleanor west (née mcmurray), who nurtured her artistic inclinations. mary's father, william j. west, an attorney general and later a judge, also supported her artistic pursuits. mary attended the fredericton high school and later enrolled in mount allison university in sackville, new brunswick, where she studied art and english literature, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1956.artistic career
mary's paintings, characterized by their domestic subjects, near-photographic detail, and often dark complexity, have been exhibited in galleries and museums across canada. her work first gained national prominence in the mid-1970s, after years of isolation and struggle. despite being married to fellow artist christopher pratt, mary's work stands on its own, earning her the title of "our greatest female painter since emily carr" from friend and former governor general of canada, adrienne clarkson.- notable works: étude 17 en couleur (the kinsey african american art - history collection, los angeles, united states) kitwangar pole by emily carr (royal bc museum, victoria, canada), a stark contrast to mary's style
- awards and honors: member of the royal canadian academy of arts (1983) awarded the order of canada (1996)
legacy and impact
mary frances pratt's passing in 2018, at the age of 83, marked the end of an era in canadian art. her legacy, however, continues to inspire new generations of artists. as a testament to her impact, the tom thomson art gallery (ontario, united states), dedicated to preserving and promoting the work of tom thomson, another iconic canadian artist, serves as a reminder of the country's rich artistic heritage.- recommended reading: [https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/mary-frances-pratt](https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/mary-frances-pratt) - mary frances pratt | artworks /en/art/show/art-8xyffg-en/ - mona lisa (la gioconda) by leonardo da vinci
- explore more: [https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/tom-thomson-art-gallery](https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/tom-thomson-art-gallery) - the museum tom thomson art gallery (ontario, united states)