William Edwin Atkinson (March 22, 1862-July 31, 1926) was a Canadian artist that as a teen was expected to follow in his father’s footprints as a pharmacist. While he initially pursued studies in chemistry at the University of Toronto, he later felt the irresistible call of art.
William Edwin Atkinson - The River Muse, Belgium
In 1881, he embarked on his artistic journey, enrolling at the Ontario School of Art. Here, under the tutelage of the esteemed Robert Harris, Atkinson laid the foundation for his artistic career. His thirst for knowledge led him to the Pennsylvania Academy from 1883 to 1884, where he had the privilege of studying under the renowned Thomas Eakins. During this period, he also shared lodgings with George Agnew Reid, an artistic association that would undoubtedly influence his artistic development.
However, it was his sojourn in 1889 to the revered Académie Julian in Paris that truly expanded Atkinson's artistic horizons. It was in this bustling artistic hub that he had a fateful encounter with the legendary Paul Gauguin during a summer of painting in Pont-Aven. Gauguin, known for his vivid and innovative use of colour, offered Atkinson invaluable advice, encouraging him to employ stronger and more vibrant hues. This counsel left an indelible mark on Atkinson's artistic style, inspiring him to explore the expressive potential of colour in his own work.
William Edwin Atkinson; Homeward Bound
From Pont-Aven, Atkinson wrote letters home, describing his experiences, which were published in his hometown newspaper, The Vindicator. Following his time in Paris, Atkinson travelled extensively, spending time in Devon, England, and Holland, before returning to Canada and settling in Toronto. His paintings in Canada revealed that he never forgot what he had learned abroad, combining the influences of Impressionism, the Barbizon school, and the Hague school into his own unique style. The light in his work might be hazy, but the forms are luminous, and his use of colour, though muted, is brighter than that of his predecessors.
Atkinson's work was considered progressive for the period, and as a result, he was made an associate member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1907, he was invited to be one of the founders of the Canadian Art Club in Toronto. His paintings are in the collection of prestigious institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; the Government of Ontario Art Collection, Toronto; the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa; and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax.
William Edwin Atkinson; The Cascade in Duke’s Woods
William Edwin Atkinson's artistic odyssey, from a pharmacist to a painter, exemplifies the transformative power of art and the enduring influence of the artists he encountered on his journey. His willingness to embrace new techniques and ideas, notably Gauguin's vibrant colour palette, played a crucial role in shaping his unique artistic identity.