Edmund G. Montague Morris Paintings

Edmund Montague Morris was a Canadian painter born on December 17, 1871, in Perth, Ontario. He was known for his portraits, particularly those of Indigenous peoples, as well as his work as a war artist. Morris was the son of Alexander Morris, a prominent Canadian politician and treaty negotiator. Having been exposed to politics and the diversity of Canadian society early on likely influenced his later work and his interest in the people who formed the fabric of Canada.

Morris studied art in Toronto at the Central Ontario School of Art and Design, now known as OCAD University. He furthered his education in Paris at the Académie Julian, which was a popular art institution among English-speaking artists at the turn of the century. There, he was exposed to the prevailing art movements of the time and honed his skill in portraiture.

After returning to Canada, Morris became an active figure in the country's art community. He was a founding member of the Canadian Art Club, which aimed to promote higher standards of art and art criticism in Canada. His career took an important turn when he was commissioned by the Ontario government to paint portraits of the leaders of the First Nations who had signed treaties with the Crown. This project took him across Western Canada, where he painted notable Indigenous leaders such as Chief Poundmaker and Chief Duck Lake. These portraits are significant historical documents as well as works of art, as they capture the visages of individuals who played crucial roles in Canada's history.

Morris's work as a war artist came during the latter part of his career. He was appointed as an official Canadian war artist during the First World War. Sadly, his life and career were cut short when he died on August 23, 1913, in Belgium. Despite his relatively short life, Morris left behind a valuable legacy in Canadian art, particularly through his portraits that bridged the gap between art and historical documentation.