Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, in a family of six children. He studied art extensively in Europe before coming to Canada. In Toronto, he first worked in the Grip Engraving Company with J.E.H. MacDonald and Tom Thomson. He exhibited with the Group of Seven since their first show at the Ontario Art Gallery in 1920. Besides his career as an artist, Lismer held important offices as an art educator (Director of the Victoria School of At and Design, Vice-Principal of the Ontario College of Art). He promoted visual art education for children, soldiers, sailors, handicapped people; he was one of the cofounders of the Art Centre for Children. The artist participated in Art Education conferences all around the world. (A Dictionary of Canadian Artists; Colin S. MacDonald. Canadian paperbacks LTS, 1991. P.860-66) The Group of Seven: "The goals of the artists who would form the Group of Seven in 1920 were idealistic and nationalistic in intent... They set out to throw off the colonial attitude which denigrated all Canadian creative ventures and slavishly imitated worshipped all things British or European...The rough wildness of the landscape, its raw, dramatic austerity, coupled with breathtaking color and light, spoke far more directly of Canada for these artists than anything to be found in the cities or settled areas. For them the north, a constant motif in earlier discussions of Canadian identity, found its first expression in the rocks, burnt land, trees, color, and light of Algonquin park... Like other major art innovators, the Group were united in their intent and cooperative action, and together they were remarkably effective in promulgating their vision across Canada and internationally." (Charles C. Hill: The Group of Seven, Art for a Nation. The Canadian Publishers, 1995. P.15-33)
Dimensions
40 X 50 cm
Size Overall
53 X 62.5 cm
Medium
oil
Condition
Frame has minor scratches on right and left arms.
Primary Support
canvas
Secondary Support
frame - wood
Inscriptions
Inscription: A gift of the teacher training classes of Brandon College, 1955-65.
From the back of the photograph: Members of the Wolsley expedition were quartered in the house in 1885 (Northwest Rebellion) and the Hessons moved into the house behind (roof just showing). It had 1882 carved under the front gable.
Custodial History
Donated to the Brandon College Library by Hilda Hesson in 1967.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Hesson home and family in the 1880’s. The house was located on First Street just north of Rosser on the east side. The man in the buggy was known as Joe.
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