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Tom Thomson: The Last Spring
In the summer of 1917, Tom Thomson, one of Canada's greatest artists, died tragically and mysteriously in Algonquin Park.
In The Last Spring , the reader comes very close to seeing Thomson's last spring through his eyes by focusing on a small segment – a single season – of his sketches. In his last months, Thomson painted 62 sketches of the advancing spring and summer. He called these works his "records" and regarded the series as being of special importance. Over the years, the series has often been spoken of but never assembled in one place. This book focuses on the 38 works found to date – including 25 extraordinarily vivid images in colour.
Equally important, the book will examine Thomson's work in the light of new information discovered about his life which will transform our perception of his work and bring it right up to date in terms of the art world.
In The Last Spring , the reader comes very close to seeing Thomson's last spring through his eyes by focusing on a small segment – a single season – of his sketches. In his last months, Thomson painted 62 sketches of the advancing spring and summer. He called these works his "records" and regarded the series as being of special importance. Over the years, the series has often been spoken of but never assembled in one place. This book focuses on the 38 works found to date – including 25 extraordinarily vivid images in colour.
Equally important, the book will examine Thomson's work in the light of new information discovered about his life which will transform our perception of his work and bring it right up to date in terms of the art world.
106 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 1994
7 people want to read
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July 9, 2017
Mnay people have an artist that they admire. Names such as Van Gogh, Monet, etc etc.
For me, it is the Group of Seven along with Tom Thomson.
I remember in elementary school going to the Art Gallery of Ontario and being shown these famous Canadian painters that broke away from the European style. To bring a new sense of beauty and view of nature. I clearly remember walking around the building completely immersed in the artwork and styles of the various members of the Group of Seven. We received a bit of background from each of of the painters but one remained stuck in my head. Tom Thomson.
When I saw his paintings I was completely taken away. I haven't felt this way about any painting since Van Gogh's Starry Night. I loved the group as a whole but the paintings by Tom Thomson were something else. From then on, I always found myself drifting back to look at his artwork whenever I was frustrated with my own or when I needed to get away from the consumer world.
And yet, I knew almost nothing about the artist behind the painting. Other than his mysterious death I knew nothing. So I rectified that.
It was a small short book filled mostly with his paintings but still showed me the life and world of Tom Thomson. Joan Murray handled the work with care. You can tell she too admired this artist and wanted to showcase the world the life of this artist.
Although living only until 38/9, Thomson managed to show nature as it is. Alive. Most artist tend to show nature as stilted almost dead. Fabricated to fit the viewer's pleasure but Thomson showed motion. I love the way he paints trees. The way he encapsulates the movement of water. And the way he plays with texture to create movement. It's stellar and worthy of a glance.
If you ever want to see what Canadian Artistry is, the Group of Seven along with Tom Thomson is a must see.
For me, it is the Group of Seven along with Tom Thomson.
I remember in elementary school going to the Art Gallery of Ontario and being shown these famous Canadian painters that broke away from the European style. To bring a new sense of beauty and view of nature. I clearly remember walking around the building completely immersed in the artwork and styles of the various members of the Group of Seven. We received a bit of background from each of of the painters but one remained stuck in my head. Tom Thomson.
When I saw his paintings I was completely taken away. I haven't felt this way about any painting since Van Gogh's Starry Night. I loved the group as a whole but the paintings by Tom Thomson were something else. From then on, I always found myself drifting back to look at his artwork whenever I was frustrated with my own or when I needed to get away from the consumer world.
And yet, I knew almost nothing about the artist behind the painting. Other than his mysterious death I knew nothing. So I rectified that.
It was a small short book filled mostly with his paintings but still showed me the life and world of Tom Thomson. Joan Murray handled the work with care. You can tell she too admired this artist and wanted to showcase the world the life of this artist.
Although living only until 38/9, Thomson managed to show nature as it is. Alive. Most artist tend to show nature as stilted almost dead. Fabricated to fit the viewer's pleasure but Thomson showed motion. I love the way he paints trees. The way he encapsulates the movement of water. And the way he plays with texture to create movement. It's stellar and worthy of a glance.
If you ever want to see what Canadian Artistry is, the Group of Seven along with Tom Thomson is a must see.
Displaying 1 of 1 review