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Overview
What is Group of Seven?
1920 – 1933Period
Toronto, CanadaBegan in
10Key artists on this page
12Works with free images
4Museums to visit
The Group of Seven, once known as the Algonquin School, was a group of Canadian landscape painters from 1920 to 1933, with "a like vision". It originally consisted of Franklin Carmichael (1890–1945), Lawren Harris (1885–1970), A. Y. Jackson (1882–1974), Frank Johnston (1888–1949), Arthur Lismer (1885–1969), J. E. H. MacDonald (1873–1932), and Frederick Varley (1881–1969). A. J. Casson (1898–1992) was invited to join in 1926, Edwin Holgate (1892–1977) became a member in 1930, and Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald (1890–1956) joined in 1932. Two artists associated with the group are Tom Thomson (1877–1917) and Emily Carr (1871–1945). Although he died before its official formation, Thomson had a significant influence on the group.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
This is the text that appeared on this page on the original Art Movements site. It is kept for reference; some statements are simplified or out of date. Where it differs from the overview, characteristics and dates above, which are checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata, trust those instead.
The Group of Seven Artists began in the early 1900s when several Canadian Artists began noticing a similarity in style. Canadian Painters Tom Thomson, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Frank Johnston and Franklin Carmichael were often believed to have socialised together through common interests and mutual employment. One particular venue, the Arts and Letters Club in Toronto, served as a common meeting place for the artists.
A. Y. Jackson later joined them around 1913. About the same time, Dr. James MacCallum and another artist by the name of Lawren S. Harris came into the picture and money was raised to build the historic Studio Building for Canadian Art in Toronto. During the spring of 1917, tragedy struck the group as Tom Thomson drowned in Algonquin Park’s Canoe Lake. This tragedy shocked the Group, and questions were raised about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the drowning. The first World War had also interrupted the group’s focus on art.
In 1920, the group put on their first exhibit and formerly called themselves the Group of Seven. The artists included were J.E.H. MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, Lawren S. Harris, Frederick Varley and A.Y. Jackson.
During the 1920s, the group established itself as uniquely Canadian in style. As their popularity grew, the group began travelling across Canada, a task not taken to lightly in those early days. They are historically recognized as the first group of European descent to capture the feel of the Arctic on canvas.
The Group’s final joint exhibition was in December 1931. In 1932, MacDonald died and the group disbanded. In their wake rose a new group called the Canadian Group of Artists, of which Group of Seven members included painters Harris, Casson, Lismer, Jackson, and Carmichael. The C. G. P. held their first formal exhibit in November 1933.
The Canadian Group of Painters are historically recognized as having a significant impact on the Canadian Art movement and forever changed the style and spirit of Canadian Art, as did the Group of Seven.
A Copse, Evening, 1918 by A. Y. Jackson, 1918 · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Period
1920 – 1933
Began in
Toronto, Canada
Key artists
A. Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer, J. E. H. MacDonald
Related
Art Deco, Bauhaus, Harlem Renaissance
How to recognise it
Key characteristics of Group of Seven
The Canadian landscape, especially Algonquin Park, Algoma and the north
Bold colour and simplified forms
Strong outlines and rhythmic, decorative patterns
Painting sketches on the spot, worked up later in the studio
The aim of a distinctly Canadian art
Timeline
When was Group of Seven?
Group of Seven is usually dated 1920 – 1933, beginning in Toronto, Canada. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
Canadian landscape painters who created a national style from the northern wilderness.
When was Group of Seven?
Group of Seven: 1920 – 1933. It began in Toronto, Canada. Dates for art movements are approximate.
What are the main characteristics of Group of Seven?
The Canadian landscape, especially Algonquin Park, Algoma and the north; Bold colour and simplified forms; Strong outlines and rhythmic, decorative patterns; Painting sketches on the spot, worked up later in the studio; The aim of a distinctly Canadian art.
Who are the most famous Group of Seven artists?
A. Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer, J. E. H. MacDonald, A. J. Casson.
What are some famous Group of Seven works?
A Copse, Evening, 1918 by A. Y. Jackson; Lorette Ridge, 1918 by A. Y. Jackson; Vimy Ridge from Souchez Valley by A. Y. Jackson; Silvery Tangle by Franklin Carmichael; Bisset Farm by Franklin Carmichael.
Where can I see Group of Seven art?
Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, Canada), Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, Canada), National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), McMichael Canadian Art Collection (Canada) hold works shown on this page.
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