Studio: international art (81.1921)

STUDIO-TALK

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PORTRAIT OF CHESTER
D. MASSEY, ESQ.
BY F. H. V A R L E 'Y

(Royal Canadian
Academy)

MONTREAL—The Royal Canadian
Academy Exhibition of 1920 was
held in the Art Association Galleries in
Montreal. It was higher in standard than
it has been for many years and contained
many pictures of real interest. This was
no doubt due in part to the natural recovery
from war times, but there were signs that
it was also due to a growing interest of the
Canadian public in the Fine Arts. 0
The most interesting exhibits were in
landscape. A number of painters are
taking their inspiration from the wild
scenery of the Canadian woods. Their
interpretations as shown in this exhibition
ranged from the delicate greys and blacks
of Mr. Cullen's snow scenes to the vivid

reds, blues and oranges of Mr. Frank
Carmichael or Mr. J. E. H. Macdonald.
The Canadian landscape painters can
hardly at present be called a " school,"
and would possibly resent any such
appellation, but on their foundation a real
school seems to be being built up. As
the foundation is broad, so we may hope
that the result will be secure. Mr. Cullen's
snow scenes are perennially fresh; Mr.
Macdonald's River Valley, Mr. Frank
Johnston's Beaver Haunts and Mr. Car-
michael's Autumn Hillside are sincere
attempts to interpret the changing qualities
of the woods. Mr. Harry Britton takes
his subjects from the sea. His water-
colours are strong in colour and form,

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