The Group of Seven and Tom Thomson: An Introduction

This slim volume may serve as a taster, or introduction, to the works of the Canadian Artists known as the "Group of Seven". Given its size, the information about each artist is necessarily rather limited: and the same goes, of course for the illustrations -- not very many about one particular artist.As a (fairly similar) alternative "The Best of the Group of Seven" by Joan Murray may serve.Both books are well enough produced (including the illustrations) for the sort of book involved.For in-depth information the reader should look elsewhere (and pay much more!).

I love the group of seven and Tom Thomson (especially as a landscape painter myself). I ordered three books and returned two. Even though it is short, this one has the best selection of paintings. I recommend it.

Do not purchase this book. The printing is defective. I already own this edition and purchased a copy for a friend. This book I received (printed in China) has been manufactured missing the yellow-hued ink. Needless to say, a book of artist paintings is not acceptable if the printing does not come even close tor reproducing the colors of the original art. I've returned mine.

size of book; 9 x 9 1/8 inches.....64 pages.......a color photo of art work on 27 pages......not an in depth book......just gives a small taste of art produced by these people.

A very nice book.

A fresh update for me!!

inspirational art book

Must have for your art Library

I was introduced to this group of artists by some Canadians we met on holiday in Portugal - I find it hard to believe I hadn't come across them in my art education. This book gives a flavour of what they produced, but far from the vast range of paintings that exist. But this led me to buying other books and doing some research on the internet,leading me to influences in Stockholm, and then becoming aware of the Australian Impressionists. The Group of 7 will no doubt affect my own work, though in a vastly different context.

Good value informative book,I knew little about these artists .The illustrations make me want to see more of their work,which I will seek out now.

super

Comprehensive enough and enjoyable for the price. I was posting it to Canada as a present so weight was my main concern!

This lovely little book is a pleasant afternoon's reading. It gives a nutshell history of the formation of a group of artists that changed the character of Canadian art from "European" style to a distinctive Canadian flavor all its own. The Group of Seven --, consisting of Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald, and F.H. (Fred) Varley, was a team of of artist friends who got together to form their group in 1920. An "eighth" figure, Tom Thomson, had been extremely influential in the group's philosophy and style, but he died three years before the group formed. Thomson's work, however, continues to be seen as part of the Group of Seven's heritage.The book opens with a 1912 snapshot of early Toronto's Yonge Street between King and Queen Streets, riddled with electrical wires and streetcars, to illustrate the early 1900's bustle of industrialism in a country only roughly 45 years after Canada was born as its own nation. While droves of new immigrants added to the citizenry numbers, the nation was caught up in developing and mining this new expanse of wild land. But the Group of Seven was interested in capturing the vibrant colors and rugged landscape in this massive expanse of wild, natural glory north of the 49th Parallel.While this book is indeed, only an INTRODUCON to the Group of Seven, you get a lovely glimpse of the individual members' stories and style of painting. Illustrations include paintings gathered from The National Art Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario Art Gallery in Toronto, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Canadian War Museum, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Vancouver Art Gallery, Queen's University Art Centre Collection, University of Toronto's Hart House Permanent Collection, and various private collections and archival sources.Anyone interested in Canadian art history will enjoy this intriguing little gem of a book, and your appetite will be whetted to pursue heavier, deeper, more extensive "coffee table sized" works on Canada's fabulous Group of Seven.I purchased my copy as a gift for an American artist friend. I have no doubt that she will be delighted with it. As it is 64 pages in length, it is not heavy, so the shipping costs will be minimal!Highly recommended reading for today's time-constrained reader and art lover!