Group of Seven

Group of Seven. The Group of Seven was a collective of Canadian artists who sought to develop a distinct Canadian art movement, inspired by the country's vast wilderness and national parks, such as Algonquin Provincial Park and Banff National Park. The group's formation was influenced by the works of Tom Thomson, a renowned Canadian painter who was known for his landscape paintings of the Canadian wilderness, including The Jack Pine and The West Wind. The Group of Seven was also inspired by the artistic styles of European modernism, including the works of Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Gustav Klimt, which they encountered during their travels to Europe and Paris.

History

The Group of Seven was formed in 1920, with the initial members being Lawren Harris, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Franklin Carmichael, A.Y. Jackson, and Emily Carr. The group's early years were marked by frequent exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada, which helped to establish their reputation as a prominent force in Canadian art. The group's history was also influenced by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which provided them with access to remote areas of the country, such as the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian Shield. During their travels, they encountered the works of other notable Canadian artists, including Cornelius Krieghoff and Paul Kane, who were known for their landscape paintings of the Canadian wilderness.

Members

The Group of Seven consisted of seven core members, each with their unique style and contribution to the group. Lawren Harris was a key figure in the group, known for his abstract landscapes and his role in shaping the group's artistic vision, which was influenced by the works of Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich. J.E.H. MacDonald was another prominent member, recognized for his landscape paintings of the Canadian Rockies and the Lake of the Woods. Other notable members included Arthur Lismer, who was influenced by the works of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, and Frederick Varley, who was known for his portraits of Canadian First Nations people, including Grey Owl and Big Bear. The group also included Franklin Carmichael, A.Y. Jackson, and Emily Carr, who were all influenced by the works of European modernism and the Canadian wilderness.

Artistic Style

The Group of Seven's artistic style was characterized by their emphasis on landscape painting and their use of bold, vibrant colors, which was influenced by the works of Fauvism and Expressionism. They drew inspiration from the Canadian wilderness, capturing the majesty and beauty of the country's mountains, forests, and lakes, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The group's style was also influenced by the works of Tom Thomson, who was known for his landscape paintings of the Canadian Shield. The Group of Seven's artistic style was distinct from other art movements of the time, such as Cubism and Surrealism, which were popular in Europe and the United States.

Notable Works

The Group of Seven produced many notable works, including Lawren Harris's North Shore, Lake Superior and J.E.H. MacDonald's The Tangled Garden. Other notable works include Arthur Lismer's A September Gale and Frederick Varley's Stormy Weather, Georgian Bay. The group's works were often exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada, which helped to establish their reputation as a prominent force in Canadian art. The Group of Seven's works were also influenced by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which provided them with access to remote areas of the country, such as the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian Shield.

Legacy

The Group of Seven's legacy is profound, with their works continuing to inspire and influence Canadian artists to this day, including Jack Bush and Ivan Eyre. The group's emphasis on landscape painting and their use of bold, vibrant colors has had a lasting impact on the development of Canadian art, including the works of Abstract art and Landscape painting. The Group of Seven's legacy can also be seen in the works of other notable Canadian artists, including Emily Carr and David Milne, who were influenced by the group's artistic style and vision. The Group of Seven's legacy is a testament to the power of art to capture the beauty and majesty of the Canadian wilderness, including the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian Shield. Category:Canadian art movements