Definition
John Goodwin Lyman (April 2, 1886 – January 2, 1967) was a Canadian painter and an influential figure in the development of modernist art in Canada. He is best known for his contributions to portraiture, landscape painting, and for promoting avant‑garde artistic movements in the early to mid‑20th century.
Overview
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Lyman pursued artistic studies in Boston, New York, and Paris before returning to Canada. His early work reflected Impressionist influences, but after exposure to Post‑Impressionism and Cubism in Europe he adopted a more abstract, simplified style. In 1936 he founded the Contemporary Arts Society (Société des Arts Contemporains) in Montreal, which provided a platform for modernist artists and organized exhibitions that challenged the dominant conservative aesthetic of the time, exemplified by the Group of Seven. Lyman taught at various institutions, including the École des Beaux‑Arts de Montréal, and mentored a generation of younger Canadian artists. He continued to paint and exhibit until his death in 1967, leaving a body of work held in collections such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.
Etymology/Origin
The name “John Goodwin Lyman” combines a common English given name (John), a family middle name (Goodwin), and a surname of English origin (Lyman). The surname “Lyman” derives from the Middle English līman or Old English līma, meaning “a limer” or “a person who dwells by a stream,” and is historically associated with families in England and the United States.
Characteristics
- Artistic Style: Transitioned from Impressionist techniques to a modernist vocabulary characterized by simplified forms, bold color fields, and a tendency toward abstraction. His portraits often emphasize psychological depth through restrained detail.
- Subject Matter: Frequently depicted urban scenes, Canadian landscapes, and individual sitters. Later works include still lifes and interior compositions with a focus on compositional balance.
- Technique: Employed oil on canvas as his primary medium; utilized flat planes of color, loose brushwork, and occasional glazing to achieve atmospheric effects.
- Contributions: Established organizational structures (e.g., the Contemporary Arts Society) that facilitated the exhibition of modernist art in Canada, thereby expanding the country’s artistic discourse beyond the prevailing nationalist landscape tradition.
- Recognition: Awarded the Canada Council Medal (1965) and elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. His works have been featured in major retrospectives and are part of prominent public and private collections.
Related Topics
- Canadian Modernism – The broader artistic movement in Canada during the early 20th century, of which Lyman was a pivotal proponent.
- Group of Seven – Contemporary landscape painters whose work contrasted with Lyman’s modernist approach; both groups shaped Canadian art history.
- Contemporary Arts Society (Société des Arts Contemporains) – The organization founded by Lyman to promote avant‑garde art in Montreal.
- Post‑Impressionism and Cubism – European movements influencing Lyman’s stylistic evolution after his studies in Paris.
- National Gallery of Canada – Institution that holds several of Lyman’s major works and has organized exhibitions highlighting his contribution to Canadian art.