Alfred Joseph Casson 1898 - 1992

Roberts Gallery, Toronto

Private Collection, Toronto

Christopher Jackson, A.J. Casson, Behind the Scenes, Varley Art Gallery, Unionville, 2006, p. 11.

This work has been viewed under UV and is in pristine condition.
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This bright river scene of the Rockwood area was painted in what is now a conservation area just east of Guelph in 1929, three years after his friend Franklin Carmichael invited him to become a member of the Group of Seven. This scenic area is part of the historic and picturesque Elora Gorge area which was carved out by glaciers eons ago.

Christopher Jackson notes Casson was very conscious of the influence other group members could have on his work. While he admired Harris, Jackson and Carmichael particularly, he did not want to imitate them.

Casson was to revisit this area often and chose to paint in both oils and watercolours what have become landmark renditions of the old streets, houses and mills of the nearby communities of Salem and Elora.

As he matured, Casson's style would become increasingly refined and graphic and his renderings of the Ontario landscape would become highly designed. In early works like this one, however, it is easy to appreciate his intuitive rhythm, mastery of composition and bold sense of colour.