HOMER
WATSON
(1855 -
1936)
Homer Watson was
born in Doon, Ontario, near Kitchener. By the time he was 15 years old, he
was already crazy about art. He was the product of a rich rural culture that
existed in Ontario in the 19th century. To follow his dream he went to
Toronto in 1872. Other Canadians were rushing off to Paris but he didn't
bother. "I felt Toronto had all I needed," he said. He did go to the big
international art display at Philadelphia's Centennial Exposition in 1876.
During his journey in the United States, he made up his mind to become a
professional artist. He set up a studio in Doon and painted there as well as
in Toronto. Watson caught on quickly in Toronto. In 1880, at age 25, he was
included in the 1st exhibition of the Royal Canadian Academy. His painting
'The Pioneer Mill' was bought for Queen Victoria. Almost overnight Watson
became famous. With his new success he married and settled back in Doon for
the next seven years. His paintings from these years are his strongest and
show a distinct Canadian flavour.Watson's art was developing from a need
to understand the meaning of familiar things. The pictures are complex in
detail and have the slightly warped clarity of a dream. They suggest that
the ordinary things can be the strangest. In 1886, some of his work was
shown in London and was well-liked, so he decided to travel to England.
Before he left, he painted 'Before the Storm' (Art Gallery of Windsor), one
of the best he ever did, and it showed how he might have developed if had
stayed in Canada. Watson and his wife stayed for three years; it was a
period of great change. His new concern was with style: effect handling and
sweeping movement. His painting was better, but his art was poorer. He
returned to Doon the paint again but still made visits to England. He became
president of the Royal Canadian Academy, but, after 1922, deafness pushed
him to retire. He died in Doon when he was 81.
The
Old Mill (1886) |
Welcome
| FrontDesk
| Perspectives
| Previous Page
| AGO Info