In this third and final week of celebrating the generous gift of Father Jozef Wroblewski, we’re looking at two prints based on well-known paintings by Group of Seven members, Lawren Harris and A.J. Casson.

These are large silkscreen prints produced by commercial printmaking firm Sampson-Matthews Ltd. which was based in Toronto.

In collaboration with the National Gallery of Canada, Sampson-Matthews produced multiple series of large scale prints based on the artwork of well-known Canadian artists. This print program was one of the largest public art programs in Canadian history, originally beginning in the Second World War and expanding afterwards.

Prints like these ones donated by Father Jozef were hung on armed forces bases during the war and in public places like schools, banks and post offices after the war.

This story in Canada’s art history is written about in Art for War and Peace by Ian Sigvaldason and Scott Steedman. Versions of our two prints are illustrated in the book as well as photographs of Sampson-Matthews Ltd. prints hanging in public spaces. Do you recall these type of prints hanging in your school or local post office?

View A Generous Gift - Part 1: Dorothy Knowles Paintings and Part 2: Walter J. Phillips Prints