Lawren Stewart Harris 1885 - 1970

Private Collection, Montréal

Harris's paintings of Toronto between 1909 to 1926 form a very important part of the artist's oeuvre. He had first become interested in painting old houses when he was studying art in Berlin in the early 1900s, and was the only member of the Group of Seven who consistently painted "portraits" of old houses. He usually painted those found in poor working-class areas, although he also found subjects in Halifax, Glace Bay, Grimsby, and Barrie (see Lot 100).

Approaching Storm is a tightly structured composition, and the building is painted in great detail. The dark street is glistening with rain as a lone woman struggles against the wind and rain, holding her umbrella as a shield against the elements.