Artist NICHOLAS HORNYANSKY (CANADIAN, 1896-1965)

"Weir's Law Office"

Datec. 1960s

Dimensions12.5 x 15.75"

Credit LineGift of Mr. Edward Phelps, London, Ontario, 1995

Object number1995.011.007

Label TextBorn in London on August 12, 1898, Samuel E. Weir attended local public schools including the London Collegiate. Although initially interested in studying chemistry, having secured work in a local munitions factory, he accepted his family’s wish that he study law instead. In 1915, he began to article with London’s Meredith and Meredith. After two years, he moved to Toronto to study at Osgoode Hall. On October 1, 1920, Weir was called to the bar. Out of a class of 244, his were the highest marks and he was one of four to graduate with honours. Before his graduation, Weir began working for local law firm, Ivey and Ivey. He moved to other firms in London before entering into private practice in 1936. His new firm was called Weir and Associates and it specialized in insurance law. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1936, elected a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1950, and became a Life Bencher in 1965. Weir retired from active practice in 1970. Weir served on London City Council from 1932 to 1933 and was a member and later Chair of the Victoria Hospital Trust. He died on January 18, 1981. As for the artist of this work, Nichola Hornyansky, born in Budapest, Hungary, he immigrated to Toronto in 1929 and lived there until his death in 1965. Across Europe, he had studied portrait painting and etching. This work, "Weir's Office," is an example of the coloured etchings and aquatints for which he is best known.

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