The Jack Pine
Tom Thomson · 1916
Why it's great
A twisted pine tree stands alone on a rocky shore, with a glowing lake and a sunset sky behind it. Tom Thomson painted this in 1916, and it became one of the most famous paintings in Canada. The lonely tree stands for strength in the wild northern land. It hangs in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.
👀 Look closer!
Look at the tree's shape. Why do you think it grows like this?
Where to see it
📍 National Gallery of CanadaOttawa, Canada
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Tom Thomson was born in Ontario and worked as a commercial artist in Toronto before devoting himself to painting. He spent his summers in Algonquin Park, making small colorful oil sketches of lakes, trees and skies. His friends who later formed the Group of Seven were inspired by him. He drowned in Canoe Lake in 1917, and his death is still a famous mystery.
