Homer Watson (1855-1936)

1855     

January 14th, Homer Watson is born in Doon, Ontario. The house still stands at the corner of Tilt drive and Doon Village Road

Homer’s parents were Randsford Watson (1824-1861) and Susan Mohr Watson (1832-1907)

1861

Randsford Watson died of typhoid

1864

The Watson sawmill business failed

1866

Received watercolour paints and a drawing book from teacher, Mr. Burkholder

1867

Jude Watson, elder brother, accidentally killed

Homer left school to support his family

1870

Received his first set of paints from an aunt, Amelia Mohr Putham

Homer Watson’s grandfather died

1872

Homer decided to pursue a career in the arts

He visited Thomas Mower Martin in Toronto to seek art advice and appraisal of his work

1874

Advanced part of his inheritance and moved to Toronto

Met artists Lucius O’Brien and Henri Perré

He copied works at the Toronto Normal School

Worked part time at Notman & Fraser photography studio

1876

Homer traveled to New York and met painter Georges Inness (1825-1894)

He painted along the Hudson and Susquehanna Rivers in the Adirondack Mountains

1878

Elected into the Ontario Society of Artists (founded in 1872) and exhibited work regularly there until 1920

1879

Spent a month with three friends canoeing down the Grand River, from Breslau to lake Erie

Won prize at Toronto industrial exhibition

1880

The Pioneer Mill was presented at the opening exhibition in Ottawa by the newly founded Royal Canadian Academy of Arts

The Governor General purchased the painting and gifted it to Queen Victoria. Watson was paid $300 for the piece, which he was initially reluctant to enter into the contest.

The marquis opened the first exhibition of the Royal Academy. Watson’s work was displayed and he was elected an associate.

1881

Homer married Roxanna Bechtel on January 1st, the couple moved into the Drake house at Doon.

Exhibited at the Art Association of Montréal and showed there until 1899.

Traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia to sketch and sold his second painting, The Last of the Drouth, to the British Royal Collection.

1882

Birth and death of son, Charles, in January

While touring Canada, Oscar Wilde dubbed Watson the “Canadian Constable”. Comparing him to the British artist John Constable because of their similar subject matter and style

Was elected full member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts

1883

Bought the Doon house.

Did livestock illustration and illustrated for the Ontario School Reader.

1886

Awarded the bronze medal at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, South Kensington, London, England.                                                                   

1887

Watson moved to England for four years and further established his reputation.

Met artists including James MacNeill Whistler, Charles Norton and Sir George Clausen.

He visited Scotland and France

Exhibited at the New Gallery, London and at the Royal Institute, Glasgow

He won five prizes that year at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition

Over the next few years his works became increasingly popular among collectors across North America                          

1892

Won prize at the Art Association of Montréal           

1893

Won bronze medal at the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Illinois.

1894

Won prize at the Art Association of Montréal

1896

Sketched on the Ile d’Orleans, Québec with Horatio Walker

1898

Began association with Montréal art patron, James Ross

Given an important one-man exhibition at the Dowdeswell Gallery, London, England and another in New York.

1899

Given a major one-man show at Cottier’s Gallery, New York

1900

Watson completed the Flood Gate

1901

Won a gold medal at the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, New York

Traveled to England with Horatio Walker and planned for an exhibit in Glasgow.

1904

Won bronze medal at Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, Missouri.

1906

Given a major one-man show at Cottier’s Gallery, New York

Homer Watson constructed a gallery in his home to display his artwork.

1907

Homer Watson founded the Canadian Art Club. This was established in order to promote the work of Canadian artists, whom he felt Canadians themselves were neglecting.

Adopted Mary Watson (1903-1982)

Homer Watson’s mother, Susan Mohr Watson died

1910

Traveled to England. Assisted with Canadian Art Exhibition at the Walker Gallery, Liverpool, England

1912

Traveled to England

1913

Campaigned to save Waterloo County woodlands and formed a company which acquired Cressman Woods

1914

Commissioned by Sir Sam Hughes to paint Canadian War Records at Valcartier, Québec to commemorate the recruitment of the First Canadian Division.

1918

Watson served as the President of the Royal Canadian Academy. This was the leading arts organization in Canada at the time

Roxanna, Homer’s wife of 37 years passed away. After her death he became interested in spiritualism

1920

Retrospective exhibition at Jenkins Gallery, more than 100 Watson’s exhibited

1921

Traveled to British Columbia and Alberta

1922

Retired from RCA due to loss of hearing

Began to study impressionism

1923

Purchased a car which permitted continued sketching trips in his elder years

1929

Suffered heavy financial loss

Sold many favourite works to Waterloo trust to maintain income

Visited Western Canada

1930

Major retrospective exhibition organized by Fred Haines held at Art Gallery of Toronto

1936

Watson died on May 30, 1936 at age 81.