Farquhar McGillivray Knowles (May 22, 1859 - April 9, 1932), a distinguished Canadian artist of Scottish descent, was born in Syracuse, NY. His family later moved to Canada, where he received his early education in Guelph, Ontario. Initially inclined towards a military career under the influence of his grandfather, a serious accident during his fourth year at West Point military academy redirected his path towards the arts.
Following the accident, Knowles found work in New York City retouching photographs and pursued art studies there. An opportunity led him back to Canada, where he joined the William Notman and John Fraser photographic studios in Toronto. Under the mentorship of John Arthur Fraser, a renowned watercolour artist, Knowles honed his skills in miniature painting and watercolours.
Farquhar McGillivray Knowles; Harbour at Low Tide
Knowles's talent in watercolours earned him an election as an Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1889. He experienced personal tragedy with the death of his first wife, Ada Cullen, in 1887. In 1890, he married Elizabeth Annie Beach, a talented artist and musician herself, and the couple embarked on an enriching artistic life together. They traveled to Europe, where Knowles studied under notable artists like Sir Hubert von Herkomer, Benjamin Constant, Jean-Paul Laurens, and others.
Farquhar McGillivray Knowles; In the Pasture, 1886
Upon returning to Canada, Knowles and his wife opened a school offering classes in painting, design, ceramics, and life studies. Their studio in Toronto became a hub for artists and a lively center of social and cultural activities. Knowles's interests extended beyond painting to include literature, music, and various hobbies like carpentry, yachting, and motoring.
His artistic oeuvre was diverse, ranging from marine studies and harbour scenes to decorative murals in the homes of affluent patrons. One of his notable projects was the installation of eleven mural panels depicting historical musical scenes for the Eaton family in Toronto. His work was celebrated for its freedom of movement and authentic atmosphere, with pieces like "Windswept" and "Shades of Evening" being particularly acclaimed.
Farquhar McGillivray Knowles; Preparing for a Trip, 1895
The couple spent a year in 1916 living on their yacht in New York Harbor, where Knowles continued to paint. They later moved to New York in 1920 but frequently returned to Canada to participate in major exhibitions. After Elizabeth's death in 1928, Knowles married Lila Taylor, also an artist, in 1931. He continued to contribute significantly to the Canadian art scene until his death in 1932.
Knowles's legacy is marked by his contributions to the Royal Canadian Academy and his impressionistic marine paintings. His works are represented in various prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen's University in Kingston. A memorial exhibition in 1932 at the Art Gallery of Toronto celebrated his life, showcasing a diverse array of his paintings, prints, drawings, and lithographs. Farquhar McGillivray Knowles remains a significant figure in the Canadian art world, remembered for his vibrant artistic expression.