Canadian Lawyer

feet and tired eyes that inevitably follow such escapades. That's why Porter is very serious about art selection. "When I take tours, I insist that you first of all only look at about 30 paintings. You never look any more or your eyes are finished," he says. "In the Louvre, I go to room after room and Romans with swords and breast plates and limbs — do not look. There's Dutch flowers, a room of couches — do not look. You have to kind of case the galleries so that you don't waste your eyeballs." Porter is so specific about which art people should see, he even recommends which entrance to use for some galleries, and gives tips on how to skip the long line ups. "The book is written for smart people who have done many other things in life but have never had time to focus on art," he says. "So it's my view of the paintings. . . ." "An eclectic character" is how Binnie describes Porter. The retired judge went to Vienna with Porter as part of a tour organized by the Advocates Society. "We abandoned the official guides and went entirely with Julian, who is as eccentric as he is learned," he says. "We had a tour like no other." No doubt Porter is knowledgeable about European art, adds Binnie. "But he also has a Julian-esque perspective, which is actually in some cases as interesting as the painting itself." In case Porter ever takes you on a tour, there's another thing you should be aware of: stopping to takes snapshots makes him surly. "I was in Holland [recently] and I was looking at Van Gogh, the second last one he did before he committed suicide . . . and a guy in front of me goes click, click, click," Porter says with a flap of both hands. "And he only looks [at the camera] and he's never looked at the painting, and I say, 'What is the point?' It is very, very annoying. You want to grab him! At least look at the damn thing, just look at it." Each time he views a painting, Porter says he has a slightly different take on it. For example, his hero Rembrandt, who did 83 self-portraits before he died in 1669. "As I grew older, my opinion of him and what he was thinking [in the selfportraits] changed," says Porter. "I can't necessarily chart how they changed but I always take notes when I see stuff and it looks perky, and maybe three years later it doesn't look perky and looks fatigued, or confused or something. It's part of the genius of Rembrandt." It might have taken Porter 30 years to write the book between his law practice, but his household is well accustomed to publishing. His wife Anna Porter is the publisher of Key Porter Books, and author of three novels and two non-fictions, including a memoir titled The Storyteller, a Memoir of Secrets, Magic and Lies. The feedback on his book so far has been good, he says. Binnie, whose review appears on the back cover, says, "Who can resist an art critic with an attitude?" But not everyone will agree with him when they read the book, Porter admits. "You might disagree with my opinion of the paintings, but it's there for you to argue," he says. "You might say, 'Well, he has a point there' or 'I always knew Porter was a turkey and this proves it.'" Know what to consider at every stage of judicial review Now published by carswell JudiCiAl Review of AdministRAtive ACtion in CAnAdA DonalD J.M. BRoWn, Q.C., anD ThE honouRaBlE John M. Evans MuNdell Medal award wiNNer Judicial Review of Administrative Action in Canada is the most highly acclaimed and comprehensive title available on this subject. Regularly updated, this publication makes it possible for you to research a difficult legal question easily and in depth, and understand it completely. oRdeR # l9683686-0-3-65203 $635 3 volume looseleaf supplemented book anticipated upkeep cost – $460 per supplement (1-2 supplements per year) supplements invoiced separately 0-9683686-0-3 Shipping and handling are extra. Price subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. Each step you need to take in building your case is fully covered so that you are well prepared for court. The authors explain the basis for all procedures and address the real issues you will encounter when navigating the decision review process. They provide extensive explanation of the case law, practice directions, and all of the legislation, regulations, rules and forms needed for every jurisdiction. The authors were awarded the David W. Mundell Medal in 1999 for their outstanding legal writing and distinguished contribution to law and letters. available risK-free for 30 days order online: www.carswell.com call Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5164  in Toronto: 416-609-3800 www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m November/December 2013 27

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