The Group of Seven artists changed the way Canadians saw their landscape. As a new show of their work opens in London, Julian Beecroft visits the places that inspired seven of their paintings.
Travelling by car and train, Beecroft traversed Canada in search of locations captured on canvas by the Group of Seven. From Winnipeg, he caught a VIA Rail train to Edmonton. "As night falls, with the train thundering across the prairies, I begin to grasp the importance of the railway in the creation of Canada, and its role in opening up the mountains of the west," says Beecroft.
In the rugged countryside of Algoma, Ontario, a location well-known for its association with the Group of Seven, Beecroft embarks on a journey with the renowned Agawa Canyon Tour Train of the Algoma Central Railway. The journey unveils a continual feast for the eyes with scenic views of lakes, forests, and occasional hints of majestic mountains.
This classic scene greets visitors to Lake O’Hara, part of Yoho national park in the Rockies, as they get off the rangers’ bus to the lake. It is due to Parks Canada’s careful management of the area that the view is largely unchanged. Toronto-based painter J.E.H. MacDonald was besotted with O’Hara, returning each September from 1924 until ill health prevented it.
The acclaimed masterpiece, The Jack Pine by Tom Thomson, is widely regarded as Canada's most iconic painting. Its inspiration originated from a sketch created at Grand Lake, nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Algonquin National Park in Ontario. Although the original tree that served as Thomson's muse had perished by 1970, the site itself was serendipitously rediscovered, allowing us to retrace the artist's steps.
For those who yearn to immerse themselves in the artistic legacy of Tom Thomson, the Jack Pine Trail presents the perfect opportunity. This trail, accessible from Grand Lake's parking lot, leads visitors to the precise location that inspired the legendary painting. While the original Jack Pine has long since disappeared, a majestic white pine now flourishes in its place, representing the timeless connection between nature and art. After a rewarding day of exploration and art appreciation, why not consider retreating to the comfort of a luxury hotel nearby? Thankfully, you can easily find excellent 5-star accommodations in Ontario on http://www.ontariocahotel.com/en/5-stars/, where you can relax and reflect on your enriching Jack Pine Trail experience.
Lake Oesa, several hundred feet above Lake O’Hara, British Columbia, is surrounded by mountains. Climbers carry on from here over Abbot Pass to Lake Louise in neighbouring Alberta. Durham-born MacDonald’s intimate painting of Lake Oesa was one of his last major canvases.
F.H. Varley, a talented painter hailing from Sheffield, captured the essence of a stormy weather in his artwork called "Stormy Weather, Georgian Bay." This masterpiece was inspired by a picturesque island situated in the southern region of Georgian Bay, Ontario. It holds historical significance as it was sketched at the summer cottage of Dr. James MacCallum, the esteemed first patron of the renowned Group of Seven.
What makes this artwork even more remarkable is the fact that the cottage still stands strong, along with a fascinating remnant from Varley's painting - the remaining fragments of the white pine tree that played a prominent role in his composition. This confluence of art, nature, and history encapsulates the enduring allure and visual richness of the Canadian landscape.
F.H. Varley’s The Cloud, Red Mountain is a view of Mount Price (left), Clinker Peak (centre) and an unnamed peak (right) in Garibaldi Park in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. This photo was taken from the shore of Garibaldi Lake, whereas Varley’s vantage point was probably higher up on the Taylor Meadows, where tall evergreens now block the view.
The Victoria Falls, the subject of J.E.H. MacDonald’s sketch Waterfall near Lake O’Hara, are on the trail from Lake O’Hara up to Lake Oesa, British Columbia. MacDonald was able to return here for free every year on a Canadian Pacific Railway Artist’s Pass, the CPR figuring that images of the Rockies created by artists would entice people to use their trains.
A.Y. Jackson’s Winter, Quebec is a view of the village and church of St-Fidèle in Charlevoix County, a couple of hours north of Quebec City. The same view, with the St Lawrence River in the distance, is now mostly obscured by trees, the result of a decline in farming in the region since Jackson’s time. Today tourism is the main source of income in Charlevoix.
