A.Y. Jackson

Born: October 3, 1882
Died: 1974
Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec

• Because his father abandoned, Jackson left school early to go to work in a Montreal printing firm.

• He earned enough money to go to Europe and, subsequently, returned and undertook art studies in Chicago.

• Jackson again returned to France where he was introduced to and studied the art form known as "impressionism".

• On returning to Canada, he began painting professionally in the Montreal area.

• He moved to work with artists in Toronto who had appreciated his style of painting landscapes.

• When WWI broke out, Jackson joined the military but was wounded early in the war and retuned to Canada.

• He and another artist, Tom Thompson, were instrumental in setting up the "Group of Seven".

• This group became well known by their nature paintings of robust colors and highlighted features.

• Jackson continued with this group until 1933 when he decided to paint on his own.

• He traveled, explored, and painted many areas of Canada including the far north, Indian reserves, and villages of Ontario and Quebec.

• Jackson was the last survivor of the Group of Seven whose paintings are now world acclaimed.

Last Updated: June 13, 2006
© Canada-Heros/Don Jones 2003