Canal du Loing 1908

Clarence Gagnon painted ‘Canal du Loing’ in oil, likely in the early 20th century. The image evokes a sense of serenity, but we can also see it as representing a particular moment in the social history of art. Gagnon was a Canadian painter who spent significant time in France. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, France, and especially Paris, was the centre of the art world, drawing artists from all over the globe. The painting’s impressionistic style, with its focus on light and color, aligns with the artistic values of the French avant-garde. The tranquil scene of a canal also reflects the growing interest in landscape painting outside of academic circles. To understand the painting better, we might research the role of Canadian artists within the broader context of European modernism. We can explore the influence of French Impressionism on Canadian art and examine how this painting and others contributed to changing tastes.