Thomas Mower Martin
Thomas Mower Martin | |
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painter , illustrator | |
Spouse | Emma Nichols (1842–1911) |
Thomas Mower Martin RCA (1838–1934) was an English-born Canadian landscape painter dubbed "the father of Canadian art"[1]
Life and work
Martin[2][3][4][5] was born in London, England, the son of Edward H. Martin, sub-treasurer of the Inner Temple, and Susan Abernethy. He was educated at various schools and lastly, the Military school in Enfield his father wanted him to become a soldier with the East India Company. But he was orphaned at 15 years of age, lived with an aunt (Kezia, sister of his mother Susannah Abernethy, and widow of Thomas Mower) who supported his desire to not proceed with military life and leave school to become a carpenter and draughtsman. He had had a hobby of sketching and painting, for several years and now, took part-time instruction at the South Kensington Schools in London but was mostly self-taught in art.
He found life in London unpleasant, was restless for a healthier life style and took advantage of the Canadian government's offer of 107 free acres (0.43 km2) of land to enable him to immigrate and be a pioneer settler. He married Emma Nichols (1842–1911)—they went on to have nine children. In 1862, they emigrated to British North America and built a small house in
Martin produced landscapes, animals,
Martin was a member of the
Illustrated books
- Campbell, Wilfred. Canada (A & C Black, 1907).
- Moncrieff, A. R. Hope. Kew gardens (A & C Black, 1908).
- Bealby, J. T. Peeps at many lands: Canada. (A & C Black, 1909).
- Graeme, Toni Father of Canadian Art(TGraeme Enterprises, 2009).
References
- watercolour.
- ^ See Biography Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine at "Meobohm fine arts"
- ^ Biography Archived 2019-01-23 at the Wayback Machine (Glenbow Museum)
- ^ Biography Archived 2010-11-16 at the Wayback Machine ("The Collectors Gallery")
- ^ Biography Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine (Gallery Walter Klinkhoff)
- ISBN 9780665132964.
Further reading
- Macdonald, Colin S. A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, Volume 4 (Canadian Paperbacks Pub., 1989) ISBN 0-919554-20-2
- Lerner, Loren Ruth & Williamson, Mary F. Art and architecture in Canada (University of Toronto Press, 1991) p664. ISBN 0-8020-5856-6
External links
- Works by Thomas Mower Martin at Faded Page (Canada)
- Thomas Mower Martin (Biog at "Meibohm Fine Arts").
- Mower Martin archive (Glenbow Museum)
- Website