René Gagnon (1928–2022), a self-taught painter born in Quebec, established himself as a renowned landscape artist, celebrated for his vibrant depictions of the Saguenay, the Côte-Nord, and the vast northern landscapes. Working primarily in oil paint applied with a palette knife and spatula on wood or panel, he mastered a technique of layering fine coats that captures the bluish northern light—between winter’s chill and radiant chromatic harmonies (whites, azures, saffron yellows, burnt oranges). – Eric Clément, La Presse

His work is described as soothing, imbued with a contemplative and poetic atmosphere. He sensitively conveys the spirit of natural settings: solitary spruces, silent lakes, dramatic skies, northern lights, and desert dunes. He sought to express the essence of the landscape rather than the anecdote.

An artist of international stature, he exhibited across Canada, the United States, Europe (notably Paris), and Asia (including Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Manila). His career was marked by numerous accolades and retrospectives, including a major one held at the Pulperie de Chicoutimi in 2004. Deeply committed to his region, he notably donated a stained-glass window to the Sacré-Cœur municipal building (inaugurated in 2016).

René Gagnon is widely recognized for his deep attachment to his homeland, the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, which he loved profoundly:
“I paint the Saguenay and the Côte-Nord because it’s my land… I love this place—I’m full of it. And this overflow is what becomes my painting.”