PAINTING THE GREAT WAR

Like some members of the Group of Seven, Homer Watson also painted scenes from the First World War; but unlike them he never travelled overseas. He received a commission in 1914 from Lieutenant General Sam Hughes, Canada’s minister of militia and defence, to paint at the Valcartier training camp in Quebec. Watson produced three works, which were first shown at his home as part of a fundraiser for the war effort arranged by his wife, Roxanna, and the local Red Cross. Hughes had wanted depictions of the military. But, as a critic for the Montreal Herald wrote of Watson’s The Ranges (Camp at Sunrise), shown above, “He has painted the Valcartier of nature first, and the Valcartier of history secondly.” Watson received his second commission after the war ended, from Commander J.K.L. Ross, who was the son of Watson’s close friend James Ross. One of the first completed paintings from this commission was rejected, so Watson had to start again. He wrote to his patron in the spring of 1919: “The new picture is growing daily and will be much better in every way.” Watson completed four paintings — one of which no longer exists — but neither art critics nor Ross, who had commissioned them, gave them positive reviews. –– Nichole Martin