The Group of Seven Biography

The Group of Seven was a Canadian association of landscape painters formed in Toronto in 1920. Its members sought new ways of representing Canada's forests, lakes, northern landscapes and changing seasons. Their paintings are often recognised for bold colour, rhythmic forms and an interest in the country's varied geography.

The group grew out of friendships among artists working in commercial design and painting, particularly at the Toronto firm Grip Limited. The influence of Tom Thomson (1877–1917), who explored Algonquin Park with several future members, was especially important. Thomson died three years before the group was founded and was never formally a member.

The seven founding artists exhibited together in May 1920 at the Art Gallery of Toronto. They later travelled and painted in places including Algonquin Park, Algoma, Georgian Bay and the Canadian Rockies. Their work varied considerably from artist to artist, but shared a determination to explore the possibilities of Canadian landscape painting.

Original members (1920)

• 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)
• Frederick Varley (1881–1969)

Later members

• A. J. Casson (1898–1992), joined 1926
• Edwin Holgate (1892–1977), joined 1930
• LeMoine FitzGerald (1890–1956), joined 1932

Closely associated artist

• Tom Thomson (1877–1917), an important influence on the group's early development, but not a member

The Group of Seven held its final exhibition under that name in 1931. Many of its artists subsequently took part in the wider Canadian Group of Painters, founded in 1933.

For related Canadian approaches to landscape painting, explore Maurice Cullen, whose work brought Impressionist colour to Quebec subjects, and David Milne, whose independent modernism developed outside the Group of Seven.

The artworks displayed below include paintings by founding member J. E. H. MacDonald and by Tom Thomson, whose work helped inspire the group. More paintings by other members can be added as they enter the catalogue.