Tom Thomson @ Art Gallery of Hamilton

Tom Thomson The Birch Grove, Autumn; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2015

On New Year's Eve, my beloved and I trekked out to the Art Gallery of Hamilton to see what was up. Tom Thomson's The Birch Grove, Autumn (1915-1916) was a highlight. From the time I was in high school, Tom Thomson was my favourite Canadian painter. 

Tom Thomson The Birch Grove, Autumn detail; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2015

His use of line and colour is astonishing.

Tom Thomson The Birch Grove, Autumn detail; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2015

Tom Thomson The Birch Grove, Autumn detail; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2015

The Birch Grove, Autumn (oil on canvas) was painted shortly before Thomson's (1877-1917) mysterious death, less than a month before his fortieth birthday.