ALFRED JOSEPH CASSON
RCA.OSA.CSPWC.CGP.
Canadian 1898-1992

Serigraphs
[Eight Canadian native birds]

The complete limited edition #15 of 50, individually numbered, titled and signed A.J. Casson below each plate. With introduction by Paul Duval, Published M.B. Loates Toronto. 1980. Each plate printed on fine quality French Arches 88 deckled edge paper and slipped into the original quarter leather and embossed oat-meal linen bound volume which is in turn set into its original heavy course linen bound slip box with marbled paper lining. With original certificate. Mint condition.
Size of images approx. 11 1/4 x 14" excluding generous margins. Size of volume 23 3/4 x 19 3/4" Size of slip box 27 x 22"

Ref LRA /ANNN/ r.dosn > SSOL                 PRICE CODE J

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Casson began working in serigraph whilst employed at Sampson Matthews, Toronto. He was encouraged by Franklin Carmichael and Charles Matthews producing his first design Canada Geese in 1926. This series was fifty years in the making as Casson developed both refinement of design and technique together with the introduction of permanent inks to serigraphy each plate taking approximately eight weeks to produce.
"These eight original graphics have a highly stylized quality of their own, one which reflects the artist's natural tendency toward crisply delineated forms. At their best, they can be counted among Casson's most attractive and characteristic works. Ranging upwards to eighteen separate colours, the original screens were cut on silk by specialists, one screen for each colour, under the direction of the artist. Casson supervised he mixing of the inks and signatured the final proof before the limited could be run off. After each plate was pulled the silk screens were washed off and destroyed thereby ensuring the limited nature of this edition." Paul Duval

Alfred Joseph Casson 1898-1992. Following studies at the Ontario College of Art and private classes with Harry Britton 1916-18, Casson joined Rous Mann Ltd. where he was apprenticed to Franklin Carmichael. It was through him that Casson became acquainted with members of the original Group of Seven with whom his name is forever linked, as he replaced Franz Johnson in 1926. That same year he joined the Toronto printing firm of Sampson Matthews rising to Art Director and Vice-President. He was founding member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour. Casson, aside from his oil painting trips and work on his canvasses of the Ontario landscape and villages, was fascinated by the technicalities of reproduction of paintings, writing a treatise on silk screen printing in 1949. Around 1944 he went through a major style change using pattern as the major element of his work. making these bird designs particularly desirable and collectable.
His paintings and prints may be found in many private, corporate collections, provincial and national institutions.
including NG Can, AGO, McMichael Collection. He was a member of the RCA, OSA, Group of Seven.