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 North Coast, and the great northern spaces. Primarily using oil paint applied with a knife and spatula on wood or panel, he mastered a technique of superimposing thin layers that capture the blue light of the north, combining winter chills with vibrant chromatic harmonies (whites, azures, saffron yellow, burnt oranges). - Eric Clément, La Presse

His work is described as soothing, imbued with a contemplative and poetic atmosphere. He sensitively captures natural settings: solitary spruce trees, silent lakes, vivid skies, the northern lights, and desert dunes. He prioritizes the essence of the landscape over anecdotes.

An artist of international stature, he has exhibited in Canada, the United States, Europe (Paris), and Asia (notably Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Manila). His career has been marked by several awards and retrospectives, including that of 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 known for his loyalty to his “country,” Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, which he deeply loved: "I paint the Saguenay and the North Shore because it's my country... I love this country, I'm full of it. This overflowing overflow is my painting."

I paint the Saguenay and the North Coast because it's my country. I love this country. I'm full of it. Either you're Nordic or you're not, and this temperament, which makes you fight the elements, influences my painting."
- René Gagnon