Katerina Atanassova, Wahsontiio Cross, Anabelle Kienle Ponka, Jocelyn Piirainen

Winter Count: Embracing the Cold draws inspiration from the Plains First Nations’ practices of recording significant events each winter, a visual reminder that helps structure histories and traditions passed down to future generations. This handsome volume explores how winter has long shaped Indigenous, Canadian settler and northern European art, uniting different cultural perspectives through diverse themes of storytelling, effects of light, physical adaptation and community and isolation.

Presenting a selection of works dating from the early 19th century to the present day, including those of artists such as Kenojuak Ashevak, J.E.H. MacDonald, Claude Monet, Kent Monkman, Meagan Musseau and Jin-me Yoon, Winter Count features approximately 165 plates, along with illustrated essays by curators from the National Gallery of Canada. The result is a book that invites readers to see winter anew – not as a season to be endured, but as a source of invention, connection and mutual respect across time and place. 

Bilingual
Hardcover | 304 pages 
Publication Date: 2025

This notecard features a detail of the artwork The Return of the Sun (1961) by Kenojuak Ashevak (1927–2013). 

Card dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 cm (6.8 x 5.3 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork The Return of the Sun (1961) by Kenojuak Ashevak (1927–2013). 

9 x 6.5 cm (3.5 x 2.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork Supernatural Kolus (2014) by Beau Dick (1955–2017). 

Card dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 cm (6.8 x 5.3 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork Doc Snyder's House (1931) by L.L. Fitzgerald (1890–1956). 

Card dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 cm (6.8 x 5.3 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork Doc Snyder's House (1931) by L.L. Fitzgerald (1890–1956). 

6.5 x 9 cm (2.5 x 3.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This small poster features the artwork Winter Brook (after 1908) by Gustaf Edolf Fjæstad (1868–1948). 

Dimensions:
Image size: 29.2 x 22.6 cm (11.5 x 8.9 in.)
Paper size: 35.6 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in.)

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork Winter Brook (1908) by Gustaf Edolf Fjæstad (1868–1948). 

9 x 6.5 cm (3.5 x 2.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork Winter Brook (1908) by Gustaf Edolf Fjæstad (1868–1948). 

Card dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 cm (6.8 x 5.3 in.) 
Blank inside. Envelope included. 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This small poster features the artwork Snow II (1915) by Lawren S. Harris (1885–1970). 

Dimensions:
Image size: 24.5 x 23.2 cm (9.65 x 9.15 in.)
Paper size: 27.9 x 35.6 cm (11 x 14 in.)

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This mug features the artwork Snow II (1915) by Lawren S. Harris (1885–1970). 

Holds 315 ml (11 fl. oz)
Microwave and dishwasher safe 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork Snow II (1915) by Lawren S. Harris (1885–1970). 

Card dimensions: 13.5 x 17.5 cm (5.3 x 6.8 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork Snow II (1915) by Lawren S. Harris (1885–1970). 

6.5 x 9 cm (2.5 x 3.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork A Northern Night (1917) by Franz Johnston (1888–1949). 

Card dimensions: 13.5 x 17.5 cm (5.3 x 6.8 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork A Northern Night (1917) by Franz Johnston (1888–1949). 

6.5 x 9 cm (2.5 x 3.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork The Ukrainian Pioneer, No. 5 (1971–1976) by William Kurelek (1927–1977). 

Card dimensions: 13.5 x 17.5 cm (5.3 x 6.8 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork The Ukrainian Pioneer, No. 5 (1971–1976) by William Kurelek (1927–1977). 

6.5 x 9 cm (2.5 x 3.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork The Visit (1967) by Jean Paul Lemieux (1904–1990). 

Card dimensions: 13.5 x 17.5 cm (5.3 x 6.8 in.)
Blank inside. Envelope included.

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This notecard features a detail of the artwork Snowbound (1915) by J.E.H MacDonald (1873–1932). 

Card dimensions: 17.5 x 13.5 cm (6.8 x 5.3 in.) 
Blank inside. Envelope included. 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada 

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold

This magnet features the artwork Snowbound (1915) by J.E.H MacDonald (1873–1932). 

9 x 6.5 cm (3.5 x 2.5 in.) 

In the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.

Related Exhibition: Winter Count: Embracing the Cold