The Interwar Years: Boom & Bust · Term 2

Causes of the Great Depression

Analyzing the causes of the 1929 stock market crash and its devastating impact on the Canadian economy and people.

About This Topic

The Group of Seven was a collective of Canadian landscape painters in the 1920s who sought to create a unique national art style. They rejected traditional European styles in favor of bold, vibrant depictions of the Canadian wilderness, particularly the rugged landscapes of Northern Ontario. This topic explores how their work helped to shape a new Canadian identity, moving away from British influences and celebrating the 'spirit' of the land.

However, the curriculum also encourages a critical look at the Group of Seven's legacy. Students investigate whose perspectives were missing from their 'national' vision, most notably Indigenous peoples, whose presence in the landscape was often erased in these paintings. This topic benefits from analyzing the art itself and investigating the cultural context of the time. Students grasp the power of art in nation-building faster through peer-led discussions and by creating their own 'modern' interpretations of Canadian identity.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: The Group of Seven

Display prints of famous Group of Seven paintings alongside traditional European-style landscapes. Students move through the gallery, noting the differences in color, brushwork, and subject matter, and discussing how the Group's style felt 'Canadian.'

⏱ 40 min·Pairs

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Inquiry Circle: The 'Empty' Landscape

In small groups, students analyze a Group of Seven painting and then research the Indigenous history of the area depicted. They discuss why the artists might have chosen to show the land as 'untouched' wilderness and what this reveals about the colonial mindset of the time.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: What is Canadian Art Today?

Students look at examples of contemporary Canadian art from diverse perspectives (e.g., Indigenous, immigrant, urban). They discuss with a partner how these works challenge or expand the 'wilderness' identity created by the Group of Seven.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Group of Seven were the only important artists in Canada in the 1920s.

What to Teach Instead

While they were very influential, many other artists, including women and Indigenous artists, were also active but often received less recognition. Peer research into 'hidden' artists of the era helps students see a more diverse and complete picture of Canadian art history.

Common Misconception

The Group of Seven paintings are 'realistic' depictions of Canada.

What to Teach Instead

Their work was highly stylized and intended to convey an emotional or spiritual response to the land, rather than a literal one. Using a 'Style vs. Reality' comparison activity helps students understand the artistic choices and the 'myth-making' involved in their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Group of Seven?

They were a group of Canadian landscape painters, including Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, and Tom Thomson (who was an inspiration but died before the group officially formed), who worked together in the 1920s to create a distinctively Canadian style of art.

Why is their work considered so important to Canadian identity?

They were the first to move away from European artistic traditions and capture the rugged, 'wild' beauty of the Canadian landscape. Their work helped Canadians see their own country as a source of inspiration and pride, separate from British influence.

What are some criticisms of the Group of Seven today?

Modern critics often point out that the Group of Seven depicted the land as an 'empty' wilderness, ignoring the long history and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples. This 'terra nullius' perspective is seen as reinforcing colonial myths about the land.

How can active learning help students understand the Group of Seven?

Active learning strategies, such as analyzing the art and investigating the missing perspectives, help students understand the role of culture in nation-building. By engaging with both the beauty and the bias of the work, students develop a more critical and nuanced view of Canadian identity. This hands-on approach makes the study of art history more relevant and encourages students to think about how they would represent Canada today.

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