Group of 7

The Group of 7 was founded in the 1920s in Canada. The artists such as Franklin Carmichael and Arthur Lismer produced landscapes (many showing unknown areas of wilderness through clouds and mist) and were inspired by Impressionism.

Their first exhibition was not well received with one critic saying that the finished works looked like the contents of “a drunkard’s stomach”. Over the years, though, opinion changed and today prints and originals are displayed with pride throughout Canada.

Another artist, whilst not an official member had been of influence in the development of the movement. Tom Thomson died mysteriously in 1917. He had been an untrained but extremely talented artist. Being an outdoorsman he encouraged others to view the land around them.

Two factors worked in favour of the movement – firstly, many of the artists were good speakers/teachers, and secondly, the paintings are full of movement and colour.