Early Autumn, Montreal River, Algoma 

J. E. H. MacDonald created “Early Autumn, Montreal River, Algoma” using oil paint and board. At first glance, one can see the composition is divided into foreground, mid-ground and background, each featuring distinct elements of the Canadian landscape. The scene is a symphony of color, with the vibrant oranges and reds of the autumnal trees contrasting against the deep blues and greens of the river and distant hills. MacDonald masterfully uses the impasto technique, applying thick layers of paint to create texture and depth. The short, deliberate brushstrokes give the landscape a dynamic quality, as if capturing the fleeting essence of a moment in time. The composition leads the viewer's eye from the rugged rocks in the foreground, through the forest, to the calm river and the soft, cloud-filled sky, creating a sense of space and distance. The lone, silhouetted tree in the mid-ground serves as a focal point, its stark verticality contrasting with the horizontal sweep of the landscape. This not only draws attention but also emphasizes the raw, untamed beauty of the Canadian wilderness, a theme often explored by artists like MacDonald seeking to express their own interpretation of the Canadian landscape.