An early example of the artist's work, this bright summertime landscape was likely completed near the Humber River, perhaps near High Park in Toronto, a favourite painting place for the artist. MacDonald frequented this west end region of Toronto not only due to the proximity to his early home on Quebec Avenue, but because the park and surrounding area along the Humber River afforded acres of lush and varied landscape for the artist to explore and experiment with.
Under the tutelage of George Agnew Reid, MacDonald had a penchant for capturing the effects of ethereal light through the soft application of colour reminiscent of Impressionistic painters of Europe. The atmospheric effect created with soft strokes of paint was paramount for MacDonald in his early career. “Summer Landscape” captures the light and bright energy of a summer day with the careful selection of fresh greens and blues punctuated by the soft forms of the surrounding trees and foliage along the still, reflective river.
