Founded in 1920, the Group of Seven was committed to portraying Canada’s wilderness in a modern painting style — a break from the European tradition, and one that would reflect the Group's uniquely Canadian identity. The original members were Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Franz Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald and F.H. Varley. Tom Thomson was included in this circle of friends, but his death in 1917 meant that he never became a member of the Group. He was crucial to the development of the other artists, however, for as an avid outdoorsman it was he who awakened their interest in painting the northern Ontario landscape. More about the Group of Seven — and more examples of their beautiful paintings — can be seen here and here.
From top to bottom: Snow Clouds by Franklin Carmichael, 1938, oil on canvas (courtesy Franklin Carmichael/National Gallery of Canada); Maple Woods, Algoma by A.Y. Jackson, 1920, oil on canvas (courtesy National Gallery of Canada); Fine Weather, Georgian Bay by J.E.H. MacDonald, 1913, oil on canvas (courtesy private collection); Billboard by Lawren Harris, 1921, oil on canvas (collection of the artist).