OCAD University mourns the loss of Dr. Francis Broun

The OCAD University community is deeply saddened by the recent passing of acclaimed art historian Dr. Francis Broun, a former Art History Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design (now OCAD University).  Dr. Broun passed away on August 11, 2019.

Dr. Broun came to Canada from Scotland in 1967. An accomplished art historian, Dr. Broun earned a B.A. from McGill University and a Ph.D. from Princeton.  As a Professor of Art History in OCAD U’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Dr. Broun specialized in, and taught ancient classical Greek/Roman, medieval European, northern/southern Renaissance to Baroque and Rococo art history. He also taught and lectured on the Romantic movement and Modern European Art into early late 19th century.

During his illustrious career, Dr. Broun also worked at the AGO, teaching courses and organizing Old Masters exhibitions, such as the Dutch paintings from the Mauritshuis and the Holbein drawings from the Queen's Collection. He also lectured regularly at the Royal Conservatory of Music (where he was Head of the Humanities Department) and the Women's Art Association. In 2009 he was a semi-finalist in TVO's best Lecturer competition.

Dr. Broun travelled frequently, leading groups of art lovers, to North American cities such as New York, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston and his European trips included London, Vienna, Paris, Provence and Greece.

OCAD U colleagues and former students fondly remember Dr. Broun as "a charming, kind-hearted, and hilarious gentleman, who was passionate about teaching art history and telling riveting stories." He was much beloved by students and staff alike and will be missed greatly.