Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Tom Thomson died in 1917; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1987.
In context
Maple Woods, Bare Trunks — Tom Thomson
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 40 at death.
Painted when the artist was 38. The artist lived to 40. 12 of the 44 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Tom Thomson (1877–1917) ▲ this work, 1915 every dated painting, decade by decade
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/tom-thomson-maple-woods-bare-trunks-AQSBKW-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Brown #a0462c
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 95.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 44 works by this artist, of which 22 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 11 of them, with 2.8% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Claremont, Canada
Thomas John Thomson, known simply as Tom Thomson to generations of Canadians, remains a pivotal and somewhat enigmatic figure in the nation’s artistic heritage. Though his active career spanned only a handful of years – tragically cut short at the age of thirty-nine – he indelibly shaped the course of Canadian art, acting as a crucial precursor to the renowned Group of Seven and leaving behind a legacy of evocative landscapes that continue to resonate deeply with audiences today. His story is one of late blossoming, of a restless spirit finding its voice in the untamed beauty of Ontario’s wilderness, and of an enduring mystery surrounding his untimely death.
Born August 5, 1877, in Claremont, Ontario, Thomson's early life was steeped in the rhythms of rural existence. He grew up as one of ten children in a farming family, an upbringing that instilled within him a profound connection to the natural world – though not initially expressed through artistic pursuits. His formal education was intermittent, punctuated by periods of illness and practical necessity. Before dedicating himself to art, Thomson explored various trades: he worked at an iron foundry, briefly attended business college, and even ventured west to Seattle where he honed his skills as a commercial artist. This period proved formative; it wasn’t merely about acquiring technical proficiency in penmanship and design at firms like Maring & Ladd, but also about encountering individuals who would later become central figures in the burgeoning Canadian art scene – J.E.H. MacDonald and Lawren Harris among them. These connections provided a crucial intellectual and artistic environment that nurtured his latent talent. However, it was the discovery of Algonquin Park in 1912 that truly ignited Thomson’s artistic passion. Guided by MacDonald's encouragement, he began to sketch the park’s breathtaking vistas, embarking on a journey of self-discovery through landscape painting.
Thomson’s early paintings reveal a promising but unrefined talent. While demonstrating an understanding of composition and color, they lacked the distinctive voice that would come to define his mature work. Over time, however, his style underwent a dramatic transformation. He moved away from conventional techniques, embracing a bolder, more expressive approach characterized by vivid colors, thickly applied paint – impasto – and dynamic brushstrokes. These weren’t merely representations of the landscape; they were visceral interpretations, conveying the energy, atmosphere, and emotional intensity of the Canadian wilderness. His subject matter remained almost exclusively landscapes: towering trees, expansive skies, shimmering lakes, winding rivers, and the subtle nuances of light and shadow across the terrain. He captured not just what he saw, but how it felt to be immersed in that environment. This ability to infuse his paintings with a sense of immediacy and emotional resonance set him apart from his contemporaries.
Paintings like The Jack Pine, The West Wind, Moonlight Sail, and Birch Grove, Autumn have become iconic representations of Canadian identity and the nation’s natural beauty. Though he died before the formal establishment of the Group of Seven in 1920, Thomson is widely considered an unofficial member – a foundational influence whose artistic vision paved the way for their groundbreaking work. His embrace of bold colors, expressive brushwork, and uniquely Canadian subject matter profoundly shaped the group’s direction. The circumstances surrounding his death in July 1917, by drowning in Canoe Lake, remain shrouded in mystery, adding to the mystique that surrounds his life and art. Was it a tragic accident, or something more? This ambiguity has fueled speculation for decades, further cementing Thomson's place as a legendary figure in Canadian culture. Today, his works are primarily held in major Canadian institutions such as the Art Gallery of Ontario, the National Gallery of Canada, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, ensuring that his vision continues to inspire and captivate generations to come. He stands as a testament to the power of artistic expression to capture the essence of a nation’s soul.
Thomson is rightfully recognized as a pioneer of Canadian modern art, breaking away from European traditions and forging a uniquely Canadian aesthetic. His paintings are more than just landscapes; they are powerful symbols of Canada's wilderness and national identity. The enduring popularity of his work speaks to its timeless quality and universal appeal. He didn’t simply paint what he saw; he painted how it felt to be Canadian, to be connected to the vastness and beauty of the northern landscape. His legacy continues to grow, solidifying his position as one of Canada's most beloved and important artists – a true icon of the nation’s artistic heritage.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/tom-thomson-maple-woods-bare-trunks-AQSBKW-en/
Look closely
Maple Woods, Bare Trunks — Tom Thomson
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
brown (#a0462c) is the leading color of "Maple Woods, Bare Trunks" by Tom Thomson.
In "Maple Woods, Bare Trunks", a balanced contrast is paired with a strong color unity harmony.
"Maple Woods, Bare Trunks" was created by Tom Thomson. The information on this page describes Tom Thomson's original work.