When one thinks of Canadian paintings, the typical images are of forests, mountains or lakes. While it is true that these rugged features captured most of the attention of the Group of Seven and the generations of painters that followed, there were a number of artists that found inspiration from Canada’s largest city of Toronto.
The earliest example that we have here at Rookleys Canadian Art dates back to 1838 when Coke Smyth was hired by Lord Durham, the new Governor General of British North America to teach his family how to draw.
John Richard Coke Smyth; Entrance to Toronto, c 1838
Nearly a century later, Owen Staples documented the dramatic changes in the Toronto skyline from the perspective of Toronto Island. Toronto Waterfront elicits a tranquil feeling as one gazes out over Lake Ontario, the city framed by overhanging trees.
Owen Staples; Toronto Waterfront, 1930
However, not all of Toronto in the 1930s was peaceful. Industry was vital to making Toronto Canada’s economic centre and Peter Clapham Sheppard found beauty in the smoke of Toronto Harbour.
Peter Clapham Sheppard; Toronto Harbour, 1932
One of Toronto’s important artists in its early years was George Agnew Reid who painted many murals for the city’s most prominent structures. He also built a house in the artist colony at Wychwood Park and captured its charm during the prime period.
George Agnew Reid; Wychwood Park Pond, Toronto, 1918
In 1933, Charles Walter Simpson was the illustrator for the book Canadian Cities of Romance. His work depicts the Toronto streetcars, skyscrapers and facades during the art deco era.
Charles Walter Simpson; Toronto, 1933
Nicholas Hornyansky is Canada’s most famous aquatint artist. He spotlighted many of Toronto’s historic landmarks with incredible detail and made its residents feel proud of the city’s architecture and heritage.
Nicholas Hornyansky; Old St. Paul's, Toronto, 1958
The elegance of Toronto isn’t limited to public buildings. Albert Franck and John Kasyn were the two artists most dedicated to documenting Toronto’s private homes and backyards. Due to extensive urban development, their works have become cultural time capsules of Toronto’s past.
Albert Franck; Elm Street, Toronto, 1959
John Kasyn; Lane off McCaul St., c 1980
If you’re searching for Toronto paintings for your home or business, you don’t have to go into the big city to find them. In fact, you can completely avoid the chaos of Toronto and instead have a wonderful day in the quaint village of Ridgeway, Ontario, located in the Niagara region. You will be stunned by the selection of Toronto paintings for sale we have in our gallery and on our website.
