Joachim Gauthier (August 20, 1897-April 5, 1988) was a Canadian painter celebrated for his realistic and impressionistic landscapes, as well as his deep association with members of the Group of Seven.
Born in North Bay, Ontario, Gauthier developed an early interest in art. His formative artistic training began while visiting his sister in Tacoma, Washington, where he studied life drawing under the noted sculptor Victor Alonzo Lewis. During this period, he also learned the practice of plein air painting, capturing the dramatic coastal landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Joachim Gauthier; Village of Limehouse
Upon returning to Canada, Gauthier first settled in Hamilton, Ontario, before moving to Toronto, where he studied under prominent Group of Seven artists Franklin Carmichael and J.E.H. MacDonald. These mentorships strongly influenced his painting style and artistic philosophy.
For more than 37 years, Gauthier worked as a commercial artist at Sampson Matthews Limited, one of Canada’s most influential graphic arts firms. During this time, he worked closely with A.J. Casson, becoming his right-hand man and frequent travelling companion on sketching trips to Ontario’s wilderness regions, including Muskoka, Haliburton, and Algonquin Park. Although deeply connected to the Group of Seven, Gauthier described himself as a traditionalist and admired, but did not fully embrace, Lawren Harris’s later shift toward abstraction.
Joachim Gauthier; A Heavy Snowfall
Artistic Career and Style
Gauthier’s paintings primarily depict the Canadian landscape, characterised by bold colour, strong composition, and a blend of realism and impressionism. Working primarily in oil and watercolour, his works celebrate the rugged natural beauty of Ontario and beyond.
He was recognised early in his career by A.H. Robson, art director at Grip Ltd., who in 1932 identified Gauthier as one of the most promising younger Canadian painters, praising his originality and technical skill. Gauthier exhibited his works alongside members of the Group of Seven and participated in major Canadian art exhibitions throughout his career.
One of Gauthier’s most important commissions came from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, which tasked him with painting portraits of Tom Thomson, all members of the Group of Seven, and some of their contemporaries. These portraits remain key historical records of Canada’s most celebrated art movement.
His painting Autumn Road, Haliburton, a vivid depiction of early autumn in Ontario cottage country, was his sole contribution to the Sampson Matthews silkscreen project, a landmark Canadian art initiative.
Notably, the Province of Ontario presented a painting by Gauthier to Pope Paul VI, which now hangs in the Vatican.
Joachim Gauthier; On the Oxtongue River
Memberships and Recognition
Gauthier was deeply involved in Canada’s professional art community and held memberships in several prestigious organisations:
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Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) – joined 1931
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Ontario Society of Artists (OSA) – joined 1933
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Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) – elected Associate in 1947
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Arts & Letters Club of Toronto – first joined 1935, rejoined in 1975
His works are represented in prominent public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, solidifying his legacy as a significant figure in 20th-century Canadian art.
Joachim Gauthier; Morning Sunlight
Legacy and Relationship to the Group of Seven
Though not officially a member, Gauthier was closely linked to the Group of Seven, especially Franklin Carmichael and A.J. Casson, with whom he shared many sketching expeditions. His portraits of the Group’s members have become iconic images, preserving the faces of artists who reshaped the understanding of Canadian art.
Gauthier’s approach remained rooted in traditional realism, making his work appealing to collectors who value the classic Canadian landscape aesthetic. Today, his paintings and portraits are highly sought after by private collectors and continue to be exhibited in galleries across Canada, including Rookleys Canadian Art in Ridgeway, Ontario.