Lot 39
ALFRED JOSEPH CASSON, O.S.A., P.R.C.A.
Additional Images
Provenance:
Gift of C.A.G. Matthews to the present owner
Private Collection, Toronto
Literature:
A.J. Casson, My Favourite Watercolours, 1919 to 1957, Cerebrus/Prentice Hall, Toronto, 1982, page 114.
Paul Duval, A.J. Casson, The Ryerson Press, Toronto, 1951, page 49, illustrated, for a depiction of the same location.
Note:
Casson had a self-proclaimed “…interest in rural architecture and (a) fondness for scenes which were so typical of the life of the outskirts of Toronto...” This community in South Algonquin Township, named after the manager of its first sawmill (Edwin Canfield Whitney of the St. Anthony Lumber Company), was one such place for Casson to derive inspiration. The pronounced geometry in this depiction of Whitney is at once soft and strong, the colour palette both brooding and jubilant.
A.J. Casson was employed as Art Director at Sampson-Matthews Limited until 1946, the year this work was painted, when he was made Vice President. Chuck Matthews was known to purchase works from his artist employees to give as gifts to clients, employees and friends. This work was gifted to the present owner directly by Mr. Matthews.