An artist and outdoorsman, A.Y. Jackson (1882 – 1974) blazed trails through Canada’s wilderness with his bold, Impressionistic landscapes. Jackson first learned about art in his youth, while working for a lithography company. Later, he studied at Paris’ Julien Academy and Chicago’s Art Institute. Jackson founded the Group of Seven artists, who defied the notion that Canada’s wilderness was too harsh and untamed to be painted. Uniting the artists of Montreal and Toronto, Jackson was acclaimed during his lifetime for his role in Canada's artistic development.