Autumn in the Northland 

Franklin Carmichael rendered "Autumn in the Northland" with oil on board, a traditional method rooted in European painting. But here, it's applied to a specifically Canadian subject. Notice how Carmichael uses the materiality of paint to capture the ruggedness of the landscape. Thick brushstrokes create texture and depth, mimicking the rough bark of trees and the uneven terrain. The vibrant colors – oranges, reds, and yellows – not only depict the autumnal season but also evoke a sense of the Canadian wilderness as a resource, ready to be extracted and commodified. This was a popular approach at the time; the Group of Seven, of which Carmichael was a founding member, aimed to create a distinctly Canadian art, often tied to ideas of national identity and resource extraction. So, next time you see a landscape painting, think about more than just the scenery. Consider the materials, the making, and the social context that gives the artwork its full meaning.