October Elms, 1923

Thoreau MacDonald Dominion Gallery, Montreal, 1923 Mr. Hamilton Larratt Smith K.C. and Harriet Smith By descent to the present Private Collection, Ontario

Nancy Robertson, "J.E.H. MacDonald, R.C.A., 1873-1932", Toronto, 1965, page 7 Joan Murray, "Flowers: J.E.H. MacDonald, Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven", Toronto, 2002, page 74 Christopher Jackson, "The Thornhill Circle: J.E.H. MacDonald and his Associates", Markham, 2006, page 5

James Edward Hervey MacDonald is widely regarded for his expansive landscapes of Algoma, Lake O’Hara, and the Canadian Rockies. However, amidst his travels throughout Canada, MacDonald would often find inspiration much closer to home. In 1912, MacDonald and his family moved north of Toronto to Thornhill, later settling on a small four-acre farm named “Four Elms” after the elm trees that towered the property. MacDonald would regularly host artist friends at the “Four Elms” and many of them would ultimately call Thornhill their home. It was in this garden that MacDonald would come to paint his iconic landmark painting, "Tangled Garden". Although it remains unconfirmed if "October Elms" is located in Thornhill, the image of the lonesome elm trees within rolling hills was a recurring motif for MacDonald’s paintings near his home. This affection for his surroundings is found in this intimate sketch, capturing the billowing trees as they nearly touch the ground. A brilliant blue-sky peaks between the branches of trees and their imposing height is mirrored in the elongated shadows below them. Through this vivid contrast within a serene composition, MacDonald showcases his affection for his home and this quiet moment in the Canadian landscape. It is noted in the records of Dominion Gallery that, upon delivery of this artwork by Thoreau MacDonald, this painting was titled "Elms", 1923. We extend our thanks to Charles Hill, Canadian art historian for providing additional research related to this artwork.