VANCOUVER.- The Vancouver Art Gallery opened its doors to a fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition, J.E.H. MacDonald? A Tangled Garden. Opened on December 16, 2023, this exhibition unravels some of the mysteries surrounding ten previously unknown painted sketches attributed to J.E.H. MacDonald, a respected figure among Canada’s renowned Group of Seven. The Group of Seven are among Canada’s most acclaimed and historically celebrated Modern artists, known primarily for their role in building a narrative of Canada’s national identity in the early 20th century.

The journey began in 2015 when the Vancouver Art Gallery made headlines by announcing the gift of these ten elusive sketches. Attributed to J.E.H. MacDonald at the time, the excitement surrounding the discovery was palpable. However, experts in the wider arts community began to publicly raise questions about the authenticity of the works. As a result, the Gallery postponed a planned exhibition to take the time to delve deeper into the matter. This included bringing in leading art historians, handwriting experts and the scientific resources of the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI).

“J.E.H. MacDonald? A Tangled Garden reflects our commitment to research, artistic inquiry and sharing new knowledge with our communities,” said Anthony Kiendl, CEO & Executive Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “We invite the public to explore this fascinating story, which reveals the complexities that occur when art history and science connect. The Gallery seeks to foster an environment of critical inquiry and transparency in which our audiences participate in the discourse surrounding the meaning of these artworks."

Based on the results of subject matter experts, including research conducted by the CCI, the Gallery is announcing that the ten painted sketches will no longer be attributed to J.E.H. MacDonald—but rather, to an unknown painter.

“This investigation exemplifies how scientific examination can play an important role in the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage,” said Kate Helwig, Senior Conservation Scientist at the Canadian Conservation Institute. “The CCI’s findings were crucial to the conclusive outcome of the investigation, which has led to the revised attribution of these ten painted sketches.”

J.E.H. MacDonald? A Tangled Garden invites visitors to explore the meticulous process of this investigation. Key highlights of the exhibition include a detailed presentation of the CCI's soon-to-be-published findings. Scientific research is further supported by art historical research, including visual analysis, and the discernment of experts in the field who have studied works by MacDonald and the Group of Seven for many years. The exhibition brings together these quantitative and qualitative assessments in a fascinating ensemble--allowing visitors to examine the evidence and draw their own conclusions. All told, the exhibition provides a fascinating view into the world of art history, providing the public with opportunities to hone their own skills of art appreciation and knowledge of art.

“This exhibition provides our visitors a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes and see how we do the work we do, and the passion and dedication of everyone involved,” said Richard Hill, Smith Jarislowsky Senior Curator of Canadian Art.

To provide a broader context, the exhibition features a significant installation of securely attributed oil sketches by the Group of Seven, including by J.E.H. MacDonald, drawn from the Gallery's permanent collection. These oil sketches, appreciated for their freshness, energy and vibrant colours, will offer a glimpse into the artistic process of Group of Seven members, who often created preliminary painted sketches in the field before completing larger, finished paintings in their studios.

J.E.H. MacDonald? A Tangled Garden opened on December 16, 2023, and will be on view until May 12, 2024.

Organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery and curated by Richard Hill, Smith Jarislowsky Senior Curator of Canadian Art.

A book entitled J.E.H. MacDonald Up Close: The Artist’s Materials and Techniques will be released later today, published by Goose Lane Editions. Authored by Kate Helwig of the CCI and Alison Douglas of the McMichael, it describes the results of their in-depth examination of MacDonald’s oil sketches and paintings.