Collection of Leon Katz
Private Collection, Toronto
In the tradition of urban landscape painting in a bourgeoning cityscape, Beatty is among artist's like Lawren Harris and J.E.H. MacDonald in depicting the growing peripheral landscape of what is now Toronto. Similar to Harris's depictions of Earl's Court, Beatty's representation of the inhabited landscape is simplified and almost geometric in it's composition. Strong line and form take precedent in the artwork offering a rigidity to the landscape that had been traditionally rendered organically untamed.
The cool hues of “Rural Houses” draw comparison's to other Group member's affinity for using more impressionistic palettes to denote light and shadow. Blue, violet and eggplant tones create shadow and define the point of light on the buildings; a departure from the classical dark earth tones and black used to create dramatic effects of light. Decidedly lighter in atmosphere, the palette employed offers a more progressive interpretation of the landscape of a city on the precipice of growth and prosperity.
