Emily Carr (1871-1945), whose painting Spring Time is shown here, was the leading Canadian woman artist of the early 20th century.

While she studied art for short periods in San Francisco, England and France, Carr lived alone in British Columbia, exploring her art through her love of nature and her deep friendships with the Native people.

In 1928, she came into contact with the Group of Seven, men from Ontario and Quebec who were developing a vigorous, distinctively Canadian landscape style, and this association finally brought her recognition.

This painting is in oil on paper, a technique Carr adopted in 1930 because it was portable, inexpensive and allowed great versatility.

Her work demonstrates a powerful lyricism reflecting the rhythms and moods of the natural world and Carr’s holistic philosophy, which centred on a belief in the unity of nature, art and life.

This painting was a gift of Dr. Max Stern. The Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery is located at 1400 de Maisonneuve W.