Charles John Collings, 1848-1931
Date
1982
Authors
Heath, Linda
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Abstract
Until recently, the calibre of Charles John Collings' art has been largely unrecognized in Canada. He chose not to participate in the tenuous art world that existed here in the early decades of the Twentieth century, preferring to sell his work primarily in England where his reputation was already established. As a result Collings' superb mastery of the water-colour medium and his innovative technique had a limited influence upon contemporary Canadian artists; conversely, his place in Canadian art history is assured by his stylistic singularity. In addition, Charles Collings can be considered an important representative of the elite English emigrants who arrived in Canada in unprecedented numbers between 1900 and the beginning of World War I in 1914 and whose cultural contributions were basic to the developing character of the province of British Columbia.