Frank (Franz) Hans Johnston 1888 - 1949

Johnston began his career as a commercial illustrator at Toronto's Grip Ltd., where he honed his skills to paint poetic landscapes such as this.

This rendering of a hazy summer day was executed in the mid 1930s, when Johnston had moved to the pastoral areas outside of Toronto between Midland and Weybridge. Flowering Meadow is bathed in a golden light, which the artist uses to pierce the surrounding foliage to create the dappled patches of the sun's effects. Johnston's subtle colour relationships, especially the many variations of greens lightened by touches of mauve and yellow brush strokes, imbue the canvas with a sense of peace that can only be found in the countryside.