Source: artgalleryofontario, The Elements, 1916, artist: J.E.H. MacDonald (Canadian)

Critique:  A piece of one of the iconic (cliche?) Canadian artists of the Group of Seven The Elements is a fascinating piece in the cannon of Group of Seven work because it contains a rare beast of the Canadian Shield: humans.  Their form is limited, indicated only by form and colour from their background.  They are over powered by their environment.  Which is only fitting for a classic Canadian piece.  They are places neatly using the rule of thirds, with a number of prominent lines in the piece pointing towards them.  Using scale the artist has made them miniscule and minor to the painting.  Taking up a tiny portion.  But given it’s a Group of Seven artists, they’re lucky to be there at all.