The Quiet Fall: Scenes of Autumn from the permanent collection

Artists

Franklin Arbuckle, A. J. Casson, J. S. Hallam, Francis Hans Johnston, William Goodridge Roberts, Herbert S. Palmer, Carl Schaefer, F. H. Varley

About the Exhibition

There is something magical that happens when the warmth of summer begins to wane and the crisp air of autumn makes its first appearance. The season evokes memories of first days at school, warm sweaters, and apple cider. It suggests quiet walks among birches, oaks, and maples, their leaves turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red before our eyes. This vibrant transformation—triggered by shortening daylight and cooling temperatures—occurs as chlorophyll breaks down, revealing pigments that had been hidden during the growing season. 

The Quiet Fall brings together works from the permanent collection that capture this fleeting time of transition and stillness. Whether through landscapes rendered in oil, watercolour, or charcoal, each artwork reflects the beauty and introspection that autumn inspires. Highlights include A. J. Casson’s cloud-covered skies over Algonquin Park and F. H. Varley’s golden fields near Kitchener, Ontario. Through these works, the exhibition reflects on how artists have observed and interpreted autumn’s subtle transitions across time and place.

Image credits
1. J. S. Hallam, Quiet Pool, Algonquin Park, 1949, oil on panel, 51 cm x 61 cm. Collection of the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. Purchased by the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, 2001. 
2. F. H. Varley, The Birch Tree, 1944, oil on canvas, 71.0 cm x 56.0 cm. Collection of the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. Gift of the Estate of Kathleen Gormley McKay, 1996.