Dead Pines, Cranberry Lake, circa 1932

Estate of the Artist By descent to the Family of the Artist, 1945 Masters Gallery, Calgary Private Collection, Edmonton

Located southeast of Sudbury, Cranberry Lake held deep personal resonance for Franklin Carmichael. Possessing a reflective spirit and a keen sensitivity to the natural world, Carmichael was profoundly moved by the unspoiled beauty of this landscape. Carmichael returned repeatedly to Cranberry Lake over two decades, producing an extensive body of sketches and paintings. From elevated vantage points, he captured sweeping views of the surrounding hills and lakes, exploring their shifting moods in every season. As the first member of the Group of Seven to immerse himself in this region, Carmichael inspired his peers, including A.Y. Jackson and Arthur Lismer, to visit during the 1930s. "Dead Pines, Cranberry Lake", dating to circa 1932, captures the rugged beauty of northern Ontario through bold design and vibrant colour. The silhouettes of bare trees rise against the shimmering lake, their jagged branches forming a screen, contrasting with the rolling green hills and distant blue-grey mountains. A lyrical yet powerful composition, the work reflects Carmichael’s deep connection to the Ontario landscape. A few years later, in 1935, the artist solidified his bond with the landscape by building a cabin there, where he and his family spent extended periods of time.