John Wilson McLaren (Canadian, 1896-1988) OSA
Untitled: Ontario Landscape, Early Autumn
oil
(Actual): 12″ high x 16″ wide
(Framed): 18 3/4″ high x 22 3/4″ wide
Description: An original Canadian School John (Jack) Wilson McLaren (Canadian, 1896-1988) OSA oil painting depicting the Ontario countryside in early Autumn. This painting, accomplished with ease and clarity, depicts a country landscape of interspersed groupings of coniferous trees in a rolling rural field of green, situated under a clear blue autumn sky. In the foreground is cropped a deciduous tree with a shimmer of golden leaves left to fall, this addition adds to the complexity of the composition.
Notes: McLaren was an extremely talented artist who was successful in many mediums beyond the fine arts including illustration, caricature, acting and music. It is said that McLaren was asked by Lawren Harris to join the Group of Seven but declined to pursue his own interests, instead opening the successful McLaren McCall advertising company. Later in life he stated that declining the Goldwyn-Mayer screen test offered to him by Irving Thalber, after a performance of one of his many shows at NY’s Ambassador Theatre, was his biggest mistake. Original McLaren’s are scarce to appear at market and usually take the form of the delightful caricatures of notable Canadians, making an oil painting even scarcer.
Markings: signed lower left, “McLaren”
(Actual): 11 ¾” high x 15 ½” wide
(Framed): 15 ½” high x 18 ½” wide
Condition: Excellent – Ready for Display.
For Accuracy: The frame shows light signs of wear to the extremities, as expected on a vintage/antique item. See Photographs.
Artist Biography: JOHN (JACK) WILSON MCLAREN (1896-1988) OSA Artist, Comedian, Actor, Publisher, Illustrator. Personal: b. Edinburgh, Scotland, 11 August, 1899. MEDIUMS: Block Prints. SUBJECTS: Caricatures. Military Service: WWI, Lance Corporal, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Employment: McClaren & McCall Publishers. Exhibitions: Royal Canadian Academy; Surrey Art Gallery (Art of the Block Print, Dec. 6 1978-Jan. 7, 1979); Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Collections: Art Gallery of Ontario; Trent University. Memberships: Ontario Society of Artists; Toronto Arts & Letters Club. SOURCE: Biographical Index of Artists in Canada
