The Group of Seven

Tom Thomson In the 1910s, Tom Thomson, an artist and avid outdoorsman, revolutionized the way we view the Canadian landscape. He had a brief career, a mere five years because he died in 1917, but he introduced a group of painters from Toronto to Algonquin Park. Like him, they were captivated by that unique wilderness. Thomson became an inspiration to those artists, who later formed the Group of Seven. In the 1910s, Tom Thomson, an artist and avid outdoorsman, revolutionized the way we view the Canadian landscape. He had a brief career, a mere five years because he died in 1917, but he introduced a group of painters from Toronto to Algonquin Park. Like him, they were captivated by that unique wilderness. Thomson became an inspiration to those artists, who later formed the Group of Seven.

Algonquin Lake by Tom Thomson (1915)

April in Algonquin Park (1917)

Canoe Lake(1914)

Northern Lights (1915)

Woods in Winter (1917)

The Group of Seven In 1920, J.E.H. MacDonald, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, Franklin Carmichael, F.H. Varley and Frank Johnston officially formed this now famous group. These were painters bitten by the Canadian north who, for the first time, took on the task of painting the great power, scenery and spirit of their land. In 1920, J.E.H. MacDonald, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, Franklin Carmichael, F.H. Varley and Frank Johnston officially formed this now famous group. These were painters bitten by the Canadian north who, for the first time, took on the task of painting the great power, scenery and spirit of their land.

The Group of Seven As an "outpost" of culture, Canadians followed the rules of the European art world. Canadian art authorities did not believe that our rough landscape was fit subject matter for art. "It's bad enough to live in this country," an old lady once told A.Y. Jackson, "without having pictures of it in your home." This, and the attitude that pine trees were unpaintable, slowly began to change. As an "outpost" of culture, Canadians followed the rules of the European art world. Canadian art authorities did not believe that our rough landscape was fit subject matter for art. "It's bad enough to live in this country," an old lady once told A.Y. Jackson, "without having pictures of it in your home." This, and the attitude that pine trees were unpaintable, slowly began to change.

Little Haven, Nouvelle-Écosse by Arthur Lismer "The great purpose of landscape art is to make us at home in our own country." -- Algomaxim "The great purpose of landscape art is to make us at home in our own country." -- Algomaxim

Oaks, October Morning by J.E.H. MacDonald

Matin, lac Supérieur by Lawren Harris

Kispayaks Village by A.Y. Jackson

October Gold by Franklin Carmichael

Weather, Lynn Valley, B.C. by Frederick Varley

Untitled by Frank H. Johnston

October on the North Shore by Arthur Lismer

Storm Clouds by J.E.H. MacDonald

Autumn by Franklin Carmichael

The Group of Seven "It is necessary that as Canadians we should believe we are capable of producing great art as we believe we are capable of doing great deeds.“ "It is necessary that as Canadians we should believe we are capable of producing great art as we believe we are capable of doing great deeds.“ Arthur Lismer Arthur Lismer

The Group of Seven disbands The Group of Seven held their eighth and final exhibition in Toronto in December The Group of Seven held their eighth and final exhibition in Toronto in December Included in the show were twenty-four invited contributors, as well as the Group of Seven members, which gives some idea of how diverse they had become. Included in the show were twenty-four invited contributors, as well as the Group of Seven members, which gives some idea of how diverse they had become. After the preview, an announcement was made that the Group of Seven ceased to exist, as such. They explained that a "bigger association was to take place, one to include a far reaching representation of all creative Canadian artists." They called themselves the Canadian Group of Painters. After the preview, an announcement was made that the Group of Seven ceased to exist, as such. They explained that a "bigger association was to take place, one to include a far reaching representation of all creative Canadian artists." They called themselves the Canadian Group of Painters.

Legacy of the Group of Seven The Group of Seven had achieved acclaim internationally. The Group of Seven had achieved acclaim internationally. They became increasingly aware of their role as spokesmen for art in Canada, and attempted to overcome public indifference and convince Canadians of the need for a national art. They fought against the idea that there could never be a Canadian art tradition and helped establish a climate of tolerance for new ideas. They became increasingly aware of their role as spokesmen for art in Canada, and attempted to overcome public indifference and convince Canadians of the need for a national art. They fought against the idea that there could never be a Canadian art tradition and helped establish a climate of tolerance for new ideas.

Legacy of the Group of Seven By popularizing the concept of an art founded on the Canadian landscape, they gave many Canadians a sense of national identity and enabled them to discover the beauty of their own country. By popularizing the concept of an art founded on the Canadian landscape, they gave many Canadians a sense of national identity and enabled them to discover the beauty of their own country.