The Jack Pine 1916-1917 oil on canvas by Canadian artist Tom Thomson is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The painting measures 127.9 x 139.8 cm (no. 1519)

Like many of Thomson's works, the subject is in Algonquin Park.

Getting Personal with Tom Thomson: Group of Seven Forerunner

Following up on The Thomsons of Durham: Tom Thomson’s Family Heritage (2005) which provided Tom Thomson’s family history, I’ll explore subjects of interest to website visitors. Want to know more about:

• Co-workers at Grip and Rous and Mann, artist/outdoorsmen such as Ben Jackson, Tom McLean and William Smithson Broadhead?
• Bosses, patrons and mentors such as J.E.H. MacDonald, Albert Robson, Dr, James MacCallum and Dr. William Brodie?
• Family and friends such as Dr. John McRuer and Mark Robinson?
• Female companions such as Alice Elinor Lambert, Elizabeth McCarney and Florence McGillvray?

Information will appear on the website in sequence dependent upon visitor demand. As a by-product, watch Toronto and the early 1900s come alive.

I don’t intend to invent Tom Thomson but with your help, I’d like to unpack existing information about the man and his times.

Two of the Talented Thomsons, a 12 page book with texts on George and Margaret written by Angie Littlefield, is illustrated with 36 colour reproductions of works by George, Margaret and Fraser Thomson.

The book is available from John A. Libby Fine Art or through this website go to books. $10 plus tax and shipping.

Margaret Thomson Tweedale 1884–1979 Q&A

“She was kind, generous, protective of family, loyal, had a good sense of humour, and was fun to be with for young and old.”

George Thomson LLB, O.S.A., 1868–1965 Q&A

George Thomson was John and Margaret Thomson’s first born. He spent nine years on his grandparents’ farm in Claremont as five more children joined the family. George’s grandparents, Tam and Elizabeth Brodie Thomson, lived in the stone house across the lane from his parents’ stone house. The extended Brodie/Thomson clan participated in music evenings and exemplified a love of reading and learning.

Links:

Algonquin Elegy by Neil Lehto www.algonquinelegy.com
His website has more links for people to explore and some interesting essays.