Key figure of Canadian Art
By Tom Thomson (Thomas John Thomson) is one of the key figures in the world of Canadian art. Especially when it comes to stunning landscapes typical of Canada’s natural beauty. He served as a true inspiration for those who later created the so-called “Group of Seven”, which included the most influential artists of the time. And his paintings “The West Wind” and “Jack Pine” are considered legends of Canadian art.
Thomson was born on August 5, 1877 in Claremont, Ontario, to a rather creative family. He was the sixth of ten children. As a child, he was greatly influenced by the calling of his father and his cousin, who was one of the best biologists and natural scientists of his time. It was thanks to the time spent with them that Thomson learned in an amazing way to combine observation of nature and the presentation of the true spirit of mystery inherent in Canadian landscapes. Despite such a creative childhood, Thomson entered the Canadian Business College, and then attended a similar educational institution in Seattle. There he also took his first job at a commercial art company dealing with engravings in various formats. However, an unsuccessful attempt at marriage forced him to move to Toronto, where he decided to become an artist.
Until that moment, all his artistic activities were only of an amateur nature. That all changed when he enrolled in a night art school, where he began to actively communicate with a well-known art firm called Grip Limited. Thomson has received accolades for showing his work to local professionals. During each of his tourist or fishing trips, the artist constantly made sketches, which he then turned into real masterpieces in the studio. This scheme of work became familiar to him, and it was she who allowed him to create his most famous paintings. His view of the incredible beauty of Canadian nature has become truly legendary.
Tom Thomson died in 1917 under mysterious circumstances, which some called murder and blamed Shannon Fraser for it. However, there is no definitive evidence of this, so his death is officially considered an accident.
