Alberto de Castro’s Christmas Dinner

Alberto de Castro’s painting – Christmas Dinner – captures the extended family excitement that many Canadians experience. The detail is remarkable, given that de Castro (1952-1995) grew up in a Portuguese family in Angola, then studied art in Spain.

It wasn’t until de Castro immigrated in 1969 to Canada, first to Montreal and then Toronto, that he would have been introduced to the farm-kitchen style traditions so accurately depicted in this painting.  He found much inspiration in Canada, particularly from the winters.

“I used to dream of snow as a child in Angola,” he said before his death at age 42.  “I had only seen it in the movies but I longed to see its whiteness, its purity, for myself.”

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, or the Best of the Season, and hope the days ahead are full of joy. Thank you to all the followers of this site. Your support is much appreciated.

See more of his art on this site, here.