The Group Of Seven

The Group of Seven

Story of The Group Of Seven

The Group of Seven was formed in 1920. The original seven members were Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald and Frederick Varley. After Johnston left the Group in 1920, A.J. Casson was eventually invited to join in 1926. Edwin Holgate became a member in 1930, while LeMoine FitzGerald joined in 1932.

Tom Thomson, J. E. H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Frank Johnston and Franklin Carmichael met as employees of the design firm Grip Ltd. in Toronto. In 1913, they were joined by A. Y. Jackson and Lawren Harris. They often met at the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto to discuss their opinions and share their art.

Although he died before its official formation, Tom Thomson is commonly associated with and had a significant influence on the group.

After J. E. H. MacDonald's death in 1932, they no longer found it necessary to continue as a group of painters. They announced that the Group had been disbanded and that a new association of painters would be formed, known as the Canadian Group of Painters. The Canadian Group—which eventually consisted of the majority of Canada's leading artists—held its first exhibition in 1933, and continued to hold exhibitions almost every year as a successful society until 1967.

History of The Group Of Seven

[1873] James Edward Hervey MacDonald born England 12 May. [1887] Thomson John Thomson born Ontario 4 August. [1881] Frederick Varley born England 2 January. [1882] Alexander Young Jackson born Montreal 3 October. [1885] Arthur Lismer born England 27 June. Lawren Stewart Harris born Ontario 23 October. [1888] Francis Harris Johnston born Ontario 19 June. [1890] Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald born Manitoba 17 March. Franklin Carmichael born Ontario 4 May. [1892] Edwin Headley Holgate born Ontario 19 August. [1898] Alfred Joseph Casson born Ontario 17 May.

[1917] Tom Thomson drowns in Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park 8 July.

[1920] The Group Of Seven forms in March - Lawren Harris, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Franklin Carmichael, Frank Johnston and A.Y. Jackson. First Group Of Seven exhibition at the Art Museum Of Toronto 7-27 May. Frank Johnston leaves the Group. [1926] A.J. Casson joins the Group. [1929] Edwin Holgate joins the Group. [1931] Eighth and last Group Of Seven exhibition at the Art Gallery Of Toronto. [1932] LeMoine FitzGerald joins the Group.

[1945] Franklin Carmichael dies 24 October. [1949] Frank Johnston dies 9 July. [1956] LeMoine FitzGerald dies 5 August. [1969] Arthur Lismer dies 23 March. Frederick Varley dies 8 September. [1970] Lawren Harris dies 29 January.[1974] A.Y. Jackson dies 5 April. [1977] Edwin Holgate dies 21 May. [1992] A.J. Casson dies 19 February.