Dennis Reid, “A Concise History of Canadian Painting”, Toronto, 2012, pages 177 and 179
A.J. Casson's lifelong commitment to Ontarian subject matter made him deeply familiar with the land and enabled him to expertly render the subtlety of the landscape. The distinct seasons in Ontario meant that Casson's environment was constantly changing, providing him with ample inspiration even without leaving the province as did many of his contemporaries. In this painting, the minty greens, pale birch trees and airy skyline creates a calmness that is on the cusp of being interrupted by the greying mood across the lake.
Lake Kamaniskeg is located just southeast of Algonquin Park in Ontario, near Barry's Bay. This area was frequented by Group of Seven members who embarked on both collective and independent sketching trips. As a result, Algonquin Park and the surrounding area has become an iconic visual reference in Canadian art history.
