Cranberry Lake, circa 1935

Family of the Artist Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery

"The View from Here: Selections from the Canadian Historical Collection", Winnipeg Art Gallery, 20 May-31 December 2000 "Into the Collection", Winnipeg Art Gallery, 23 July 2005-13 August 2006 "The Collection on View: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven", Winnipeg Art Gallery, 27 June 2015-2 April 2018 "Salon Style: 20th Century Painting", Winnipeg Art Gallery, 12 October 2018-18 May 2020

Mary Jo Hughes, "The View from Here: Selections from the Canadian Historical Collection", Winnipeg, 2000, reproduced page 60

"Cranberry Lake" is located southeast of Sudbury. Franklin Carmichael became synonymous with the area, as the artist had a personal connection to the region. Carmichael possessed a deep, reflective spirit, and he was profoundly moved by the untouched beauty of the region. Over the course of two decades, he dedicated himself to sketching the landscape extensively. He explored the nearby hills and lakes, often capturing sweeping views from elevated vantage points. As the first member of the Group of Seven to immerse himself in this particular area, he quickly became an inspiration for others, including A.Y. Jackson and Arthur Lismer, who visited in the 1930s. In 1935, he constructed a cabin in the area and regularly visited with his family for extended stays. The vibrant strokes of colour on the hills capture a dynamic energy. The landscape depicted is rich and fertile, with sunlight illuminating the rocky terrain. Beyond the captivating, atmospheric effects that Carmichael captures in this work, the artist masterfully communicates a profound sense of depth. The mountains stretch into the distance, undulating gently and fading away at the edges of the canvas.