“It’s probably hard for anyone looking at my landscapes today to realize that I was once regarded as a rebel, a dangerous influence; that I’ve been told I was on the verge of insanity, that my painting was nothing but meaningless daubs. Lawren Harris, the man most responsible for drawing the Group of Seven together, was accused of something perilously close to treason – his paintings, said his severest critics, were discouraging immigration.” – A.Y. Jackson
Recently we joined a group of mature adults and spent the afternoon creating our own fall landscapes inspired by the the work of the Group of Seven.
The Group of Seven believed that a distinct style of Canadian art should be developed through direct contact with Canada’s rugged wilderness. This style would break from European traditions and reflect an increasingly nationalistic sentiment for its paintings that were inspired by the Canadian landscape. The group of Seven was the first major Canadian art movement.