F.H. Varley. John, c. 1920-21,
Oil on Canvas. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa.
(source: Joan Murray, Masterpeices, Tom Thompson and the group of seven. Prospero books, 1994.)
F.H. Varley. Portrait of Alice Massey, c. 1924-25
Oil on Canvas. Private Collection.
(source: Joan Murray, Masterpeices, Tom Thompson and the group of seven. Prospero books, 1994.)
I first saw a group of paintings by F.H. Varley before I decided to study art, and they blew me away, his colour choices were so vibrant and subjective. His portraits speak outside the canvas- the subjects are real, meaty and alive. I imagine his paintings of them are far more accurate than any photograph could be.
Varley also painted landscapes and was part of the Group of Seven- Canadian painters known for their rugged landscapes of Canada as empty wilderness. There are more portraits and city scenes among the collective works of the Group of Seven than Varley's, and they're all good, but to me Varley's paintings stand out from the rest. They celebrate the flesh and bones human, as well as the soul.
more links to Varley info and works:
Urbane Magazine
Town of Markham- Varley Art Gallery
Gorgeous works. Thanks!
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