20 CANADIAN PAINTING IN THE THIRTIES 1. Formation of the Canadian Group of Painters FORMATION OF THE CANADIAN GROUP OF PAINTERS 21

Canadian art of the twenties is dominated by the rise and growth of the Group of Seven. It is the story of a struggle to develop an art inspired by the Canadian landscape, of a brotherhood, united by the mystical number seven, work-ing to open up the creative channels of Canadian art. By 1930 the Group of Seven was Canada's 'National School,' dominating the image of Canadian art abroad, either through shows the members organized themselves,1 or through their inclusion as Canadian representation in international exhibitions.2 Articles in foreign art journals3 also confirmed the impression that the only living Cana-dian art was that of the Group of Seven and its followers. Opposition had always played an important rôle in the Group's development;4 however this opposition had tem-porarily lost credibility. The dangers of widesprea