FREDERICK HORSMAN (F.H.) VARLEY (1881-1969)

F.H. (Frederick Horsman) Varley was a founding member of the Group of Seven whose work helped shape the development of Canadian artistic identity. While celebrated for his powerful landscapes as part of the Group, he also earned recognition as a portrait painter. His ability to unite classical fundamentals, strong draftsmanship and modernist experimentation helped broaden perceptions of what Canadian art could represent.

During the First World War, he served as an official war artist, producing compelling paintings that captured both the devastation of conflict and its lasting human impact. 

As a founding member of the Group of Seven in 1920, Varley contributed to defining a distinctly Canadian artistic vision. Although many of the Group's members focused primarily on landscape, Varley's lifelong interest in portraiture and the human figure expanded the scope of the Group’s artistic vision. His paintings combined technical skill with a personal, emotional energy that continues to resonate with generations of artists and viewers alike.¹

Beyond his practice, Varley left a lasting mark through arts education and culture. Varley served as an instructor at the Ontario College of Art (OCA, now OCAD University ) and the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts. 

Following Varley’s death in 1969, his friend Kathleen McKay donated the family’s considerable collection of artwork by Varley to the City of Markham. This collection formed the foundation of the Varley Art Gallery, which opened in 1997. ²

Today, his paintings and drawings remain celebrated across Canada, reflecting a legacy that helped define the nation's artistic heritage and continues to inspire future generations.

Learn more about F.H. Varley

¹ The Canadian Encyclopedia, article, Frederick Horsman Varley

² Varley Art Gallery 

Image credit: Mountain Road, Lynn Valley, c. 1932–36, Oil on canvas, 30.5 cm x 38.0 cm, Gift of the Estate of Kathleen Gormley McKay, 1996, 1996.1.87