The Solemn Land 1921

J. E. H. MacDonald, a key member of the Group of Seven, painted *The Solemn Land* to capture the essence and rugged beauty of the Canadian landscape in the early 20th century. MacDonald and the Group of Seven sought to forge a distinct Canadian identity through their art. They moved away from European traditions and instead focused on depicting the raw and untamed wilderness of Canada. This was at a time of growing nationalism and a desire to define what it meant to be Canadian. The emotional intensity in MacDonald’s work reflects a deep, personal connection to nature. MacDonald once said: “It is not by our works we live but by our hopes.” This painting invites us to consider our relationship with the environment and the emotional and spiritual connections we form with the land. It reflects an emerging sense of cultural identity rooted in the unique geography of Canada.