ALFRED-JOSEPH CASSON (1898- 1992)
Manitou Mountain (563 m - 1,847 ft)
Canada (Ontario)
In Algonquin Provincial Park, 1954, Huile sur toile, 113,2 x 208,8 cm, peinture murale principale
Collection MSTC
About the painting
In 1954 Alfred Joseph Casson was one of eighteen Canadian artists commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway to paint a mural for the interior of one of the new park cars entering service on the new Canadian transcontinental train. Each mural depicted a different national or provincial park; Casson's was Algonquin Provincial Park (above)
Casson chooses to reduce and simplify forms and textures within the landscape while maintaining drama and exploring the theme of the endurance of nature over man. Emphasis on crisp form, luminosity and an exploration of light and shadow are integral to this work. The rolling hills, billowing dramatic clouds hanging low in the sky, and rather barren forest culminate to instill a feeling of the sublime in its true sense. Casson is also very attentive to the details and renders with great precision, as here, the stag and deer that can be seen in the foreground, at the top of the first hill, and which seems to scrutinize the painter with attention. .
The mountain
Manitou Mountain (563m - 1847ft) is located within Algonquin Provincial Park and is the highest point in Haliburton County. The mountain’s name Manitou is derived from the Native American (Algonquin) word relating to the concept of spirit beings and their interconnection to nature and life.
The artist
Alfred-Joseph Casson was a member of the Canadian group of artists known as the Group of Seven. He joined the group in 1926 at the invitation of Franklin Carmichael. Casson is best known for his depictions of landscapes, forests and farms of southern Ontario, and for being the youngest member of the Group of Seven.
The first public exhibition of his work was at the Canadian National Exhibition, in 1917. He was hired by the commercial art/ engravers firm Brigden's, owned by George and Fredrick Brigden.
In 1919 Casson moved to Rous and Mann where he was influenced by and assistant to Group of Seven member Franklin Carmichael to sketch and paint on his own. Carmichael and Casson then moved on to the first Canadian silkscreen printing firm, Sampson, Matthews Ltd, founded by artist J. E. Sampson and businessman C. A. G. Matthews. Carmichael introduced Casson to The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, where he met many well-known artists.
In the 1920s, Casson continued to paint during his spare time alone and with the Group of Seven. Alfred enjoyed watercolor. In 1925 along with Carmichael and F. H. Brigden (Fredrick), he founded the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour. In 1926, he become member of the Group of Seven and also became an associate member of the most conservative Royal Canadian Academy.
He and Carmichael left Rous and Mann Ltd. in 1926 to join Sampson Matthews. After Carmichael left in 1932 to teach at the Ontario College of Art, Casson became their Art Director and later their vice-president in 1946.
After the ending of the Group of Seven in 1932, he co-founded the Canadian Group of Painters in 1933. Several members of the Group of Seven later became members of the Canadian Group of Painters including Lawren Harris, Arthur Lismer, A. Y. Jackson, and Franklin Carmichael.
In 1952, he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Honorary Corresponding member.
Casson developed a painting style with clear colours and background designs.
In 1954 he was one of eighteen Canadian artists commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway to paint a mural for the interior of one of the new Park cars entering service on the new Canadian transcontinental train. Each mural depicted a different national or provincial park; Casson's was Algonquin Provincial Park (see above)
A. J. Casson "retired" in 1957 at age 60, to paint full-time. He died in 1992, just three months short of his 94th birthday, and is buried on the grounds of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, along with six other Group of Seven members.
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2019 - Wandering Vertexes...
by Francis Rousseau
