Alfred Joseph Casson (1898 to 1992)
About the Artist
Alfred J. Casson is best known for his depictions of landscapes, forests and farms of southern Ontario, and for being the youngest member of the Group of Seven, joining in 1925. Casson was born in Toronto, but spent much of his young life in Hamilton. He attended the Hamilton Art School studying under John Gordon on Saturdays and worked as an apprentice at Laidlaw Lithographing Company during the week. After 5 years he was employed by Commercial Engravers where he worked for 2 years learning the skills that would launch him on his way to a career as a commercial artist.
In 1916, Casson's family returned to Toronto and it was here in 1918, that Casson was hired as an assistant chief designer by Frank Carmichael for Rous and Mann. Casson was introduced to other Group of Seven members by Frank Carmichael and the two often travelled together touring the countryside of rural Ontario. They both often painted in watercolour, a medium not used by other Group of Seven members.
When the Group of Seven disbanded in 1933, Casson co-founded the Canadian Group of Painters. He continued to paint full-time until his death in 1992 at the age of ninety-four.
Stuart MacCuaig
Climbing the Cold White Peaks: A survey of artists in and from Hamilton 1910 -1950
About the Painting
Watercolour on paper
Hillside Village portrays a subject of which Casson was very fond. Unlike the other members of the Group, Casson preferred the soft rural landscapes of Southern Ontario to that of the rugged North.
"In 1926 Casson bought his first car and began exploring villages near Toronto. The Ontario small town was to become his subject par excellence."
Joan Murray
The Best of the Group of Seven
