Alfred Joseph Casson 1898 - 1992

Private Collection, Edmonton

Casson formally became a member of the Group of Seven in 1926, and painted October - Lake Superior just two years later. Mentored and encouraged by his colleages, J.E.H. MacDonald and Frank Carmichael in particular, his work reflects their artistic influences, but in this fine panel exemplifies his independent spirit and distinct interpretation of the land.

In this painting of the Lake Superior landscape, Casson renders the subject with the same detail and veracity as his mentors. His depiction of the surrounding hills is rhythmic and undulating like theirs, but by employing his customarily controlled brushwork he makes a familiar subject his own.

The brooding quality of the sky is intuitively harmonious with his restricted landscape palette of warm browns that are enlivened with vivid touches of red and mustard.  Casson presents a vision of this now celebrated northern region that is highly personal and evocative.