In 1895, under the direction of then Minister of Education, George Ross, collecting activities were made the responsibility of the Education Department. This resulted in a number of important commissions including the acquisition of original illustrations made by C. W. Jefferys for public and secondary school history textbooks.

Click to see a larger version (291K)
The Battle of Lundy's Lane
C. W. Jefferys, [ca.1921]
Pen and Ink Drawing
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 621234

Click to see a larger version (275K)
The March of the Rebels upon
Toronto in December, 1837
C. W. Jefferys, [ca.1921]
Pen and Ink Drawing
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 621229

As well, in 1944, three years before his death, well-known artist and teacher, George Agnew Reid offered to the Department over 400 of his own paintings. These large scale genre scenes and small oils, many of which hang on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Legislative Building, reflect the artist's farming roots and the beauty of Ontario's varied landscape.

Foreclosure of the Mortgage, 1935
George A. Reid, O.S.A., R.C.A.,
C.S.P.W.C. (1860-1947)
Oil on Canvas
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619809

In Foreclosure of the Mortgage, a work the artist repainted in 1935 following the destruction by fire of an earlier version, a distraught family is shown gathered around the bed of the invalid father as they listen to the bailiff read from a notice of re-possession.

Based in part on his own real life experience, the cool tones of the painting, coupled with the family's obvious despair create a somber and moving portrait of rural life.

Less emotional are many of Reid's smaller works depicting scenes based on his travels across the province, as well as those of many summers spent in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

Click to see a larger version (197K)
The Valley of the Agawa, 1932
George A. Reid, O.S.A., R.C.A.,
C.S.P.W.C. (1860-1947)
Oil on Canvas
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619837

Click to see a larger version (266K)
Hills and Clouds, Catskills, 1914
George A. Reid, O.S.A., R.C.A.,
C.S.P.W.C. (1860-1947)
Oil on Canvas
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 621192