A canon of landscapes

It’s been a challenging winter—but spring is right around the corner. With nicer weather approaching, everyone is itching to get outside, stretch their legs, and explore nature in a way that snowier months will not allow. Historically, many Canadian artists have showcased nature in their work, making the country’s canon of art synonymous with the Northern wilderness. David Milne (1882 – 1953) was such an artist. The quintessential Canadian painter and printmaker’s love affair with nature is evident after one look at his body of work—more than 100 pieces from which are part of the AGO Collection. 

Born in 1882 in Bruce County, Ontario, to Scottish immigrant parents, David Milne was the youngest of 10 children. His relationship with the outdoors started early, working as a farmhand with his siblings at the age of 10. After performing exceptionally well in school, at 21 he moved to New York City to study painting at the Art Students League, spending the next decade there doing commercial design work and developing his painting practice. Milne served briefly in the Canadian army then relocated to rural New York State to paint landscapes for a number of years before permanently returning home to Canada. It was here in Ontario – from 1929 on – that Milne created his most iconic work, famously living and painting outdoor environments in Temagami, Port Severn and Uxbridge, among other scenic locations.     

David Milne was known to be a deeply spiritual man who found harmony and connection in nature. As an artist he was greatly concerned with the process of his work – more so than the end result – often retreating into the wilderness to spend months on end in a small cabin, completely immersed in practice. He would spend the days painting rolling hills, tree lines and horizons, and the nights huddled in front of a fire journaling.