Who are the group of seven?
The Group of Seven are a prolific group of Canadian artists most famous for their portrayal of Canada’s multitude of natural landscapes. Their work is a celebration of the country’s stunning wilderness and what it means to be Canadian. From rugged coastlines to towering mountains, the Group of 7 traveled across the country, painting in some of the most remote locations and bracing themselves against extreme elements to capture the true beauty of the Great White North.
Group of Seven Artists
The Group of Seven started out as a conglomerate of seven artists, namely; Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer and Frederick Varley. The gentlemen came together in 1920 with the shared goal of creating a painting style that was uniquely Canadian. The Group of Seven later expanded to include A.J. Casson, Edwin Holgate and Lionel Lemoine Fitzgerald. The ten members went on to create a formidable collection of work, cementing themselves in the history books as some of Canada’s best artists of all time.
Tom Thomson, although often associated with the Group due to his undeniable friendship with the artists, sadly passed away in 1917 before the Group was formed. Some consider him an honourary member for this reason,
Group of seven Paintings
The members of the Group of Seven collectively agreed that the incredibly varied medley of landscapes which exist across Canada must be represented in a way that separated it from traditional European styles of landscape painting. They set out to create a distinct painting style that could easily be identified by its bold brush strokes, vivid colour and somewhat abstract take on nature. Group of Seven paintings not only capture the landscape but also the overall emotion and feeling of their various locations.
A.J. Casson; Storm Clouds, Algonquin Park
Group of seven influence and impact
The Group of Seven artists left a major impression on the art world, not only within Canada, but internationally, gaining recognition for their work all over the globe. They were trailblazers who inspired countless artists after them and helped to define Canada as a unique destination with its own voice and perspective. By challenging the norm and showcasing Canada in a new way, they brought their landscapes to life and as a result, have become an integral part of the Canadian identity.
Frank Johnston; Waning Winter
Arthur Lismer; Northern Lake
Group of seven paintings in our gallery
At Rookleys Canadian Art, we are very proud to have dozens of original artworks by the Group of Seven in our collection. These pieces are rarely seen outside of museums and public gallery spaces but can be found at Rookleys and are available for purchase.
