The Best of the Group of Seven

by Joan Murray

A stunning, full-colour collection of the brilliant paintings that revolutionized Canadian art.

In the early twentieth century a group of young artists strived to create, in Lawren Harris’s words, paintings that would “embody the moods and character and spirit of the country.” The fifty-four breathtaking colour plates in this book confirm their success. Well-loved landscapes, like Tom Thomson’s Jack Pine, appear beside some unexpected treasures like Edwin Holgate’s Nude in a Landscape. The essays by Joan Murray and Harris give historical context to the Group of Seven, and fascinating captions provide biographical notes and insightful critiques of each member’s style. No Canadian library is complete without this beautiful volume.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Canada

96 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1984

About the author

Joan Arden Charlat Murray (August 12, 1943 - ) is an American-born Canadian art historian, writer and curator.

Joan Charlat studied art history at the University of Toronto and in 1968 she took a position at the Art Gallery of Ontario where she became Research Curator, and the first Curator of Canadian Art (1970–1973).

Murray was also the Director of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa & served as a Director at McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario.

Murray has written extensively on the Group of Seven, particularly Tom Thomson. She has authored many books on the history of Canadian art, most notably Canadian Art in the Twentieth Century, Northern Lights: Masterpieces of Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, The McMichael Canadian Art Collection: One Hundred Masterworks.

Reviews

[Erma Odrach · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Group of Seven, a group of Canadian artists in the early 1900's, developed a style of painting to reflect the rugged landscape of northern Canada. My favorite is Tom Thomson because of his understanding of nature and his great skill as a colorist. I enjoy going to look at his painting 'Bateaux' at the gallery in Toronto, which shows how lumberjacks manipulated the flow of timber on a river. This book overall is a great way to become familiar with a group of artists who captured the essence of Canada's north.

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins with a fascinating story of the groups origin and development. Harris's essay gives more insight into their group. Being familiar with the Lake Superior landscape on the Michigan side, I see myself painting in similar ways inspired by the same landscape. The paintings included in this collection are stunning examples of the visions of Canada that the group had found weather wilderness, the wild touched by humans as in the logging scenes, or the small town touched by snow and light.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a solid 4, but with the addition of Lawren Harris's essay makes it a must read for this subject matter. The additional description for each selection is a welcome feature from that age which I wish modern books had.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way I can describe the Group of Seven is that they painted poetry.

[Shelley Nutma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish it was longer! Super fun read.

[Mike Violano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered the paintings by the Canadian artists in the "group of Seven" in the late 1990's at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. This book is actually a catalog of paintings and two well written critical essays. This group of Canadian created some of the most striking landscape art of the 20th century. Although the group had its first exhibition in 1920, the band of artists started camping and painting together around 1912. A few favorites by members include: Bateaux by Tom Thomson, The Elements by J.E.H MacDonald, North Town and October Gold by Frank Carmichael, Above Lake Superior by Lawren Harris, and Jack Pine and Poplar by A.J. Casson.