Canadian Art in the Twentieth Century

Joan Murray

Language: English

Publisher: Dundurn

Published: Nov 2, 1999

Description:

Canadian Art in the Twentieth Century is a survey of the richest, most controversial and perhaps most thoroughly confusing centuries in the whole history of the visual arts in Canada - the period from 1900 to the present. Murray shows how, beginning with Tonalism at the start of the century, new directions in art emerged - starting with our early Modernists, among them Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Today, Modernism has lost its dominance. Artists, critics, and the public alike are confronted by a scene of unprecedented variety and complexity. Murray discusses the social and political events of the century in combination with the cultural context; movements, ideas, attitudes, and styles; the important groups in Canadian art, and major and minor artists and their works. Fully documented, well researched and written with clarity and over four hundred illustrations in both black-and-white and colour, Murray’s book is essential for understanding Canadian art of this century. As an introduction, it is excellent in both its scope and intelligence.

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Review

"This stylish, sure-footed survey of Canadian art as it moved through our century will delight those who know the subject well and pleasantly educate those who are new to it. Joan Murray's knowledge and intelligence make her the perfect guide for a tour of Canadian Modernity."

Canadian Art in the Twentieth Century is a survey of the richest, most controversial and perhaps most thoroughly confusing centuries in the whole history of the visual arts in Canada - the period from 1900 to the present. Murray shows how, beginning with Tonalism at the start of the century, new directions in art emerged - starting with our early Modernists, among them Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Today, Modernism has lost its dominance. Artists, critics, and the public alike are confronted by a scene of unprecedented variety and complexity. Murray discusses the social and political events of the century in combination with the cultural context; movements, ideas, attitudes, and styles; the important groups in Canadian art, and major and minor artists and their works. Fully documented, well researched and written with clarity and over four hundred illustrations in both black-and-white and colour, Murray's book is essential for understanding Canadian art of this century. As an introduction, it is excellent in both its scope and intelligence.

About the Author

Joan Murray is an eloquent spokesperson for the twentieth century in Canada, combining a critical eye with a historian's insight into wider trends. She is well known for her numerous books on Canadian art, which include her recent biography of Tom Thomson, Tom Thomson: Design for a Canadian Hero. As executive director of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, she has organized numerous exhibitions.