Collection: Art Prints by Canadian Artists

Wilderness and National Identity

The history of Canadian painting is deeply intertwined with the country’s singular natural environment — from its vast forests and majestic mountain ranges to the stillness of its lakescapes. As early as the 18th century, both European and Canadian artists began to document and interpret these landscapes, blending topographical observation with aesthetic ambition. Canadian art history is marked by a sustained engagement with nature, light, and national identity — themes that continue to shape artistic production in Canada to this day.

Canadian Landscape Painting

The earliest visual representations of Canada were often created by topographical draftsmen and expeditionary artists, whose works possess both documentary and aesthetic value. Among the first and most influential figures was Thomas Davies, a British officer and trained draughtsman who, in the late 18th century, produced meticulously detailed watercolours of the North American terrain. In the 19th century, Cornelius Krieghoff, a Dutch-born artist, became known for his genre scenes depicting the lives of French-Canadian settlers and Indigenous peoples. Around the same time, a new generation of Canadian-born artists began to move beyond pure documentation, placing greater emphasis on mood, atmosphere, and national symbolism. Lucius O’Brien stands out in this context: his monumental landscapes — such as Sunrise on the Saguenay (1880) — elevated Canada’s wilderness to a symbol of collective identity and are considered key milestones in the development of a distinctly Canadian landscape aesthetic.

Canadian Artists at Betterposter

Many of the artists featured in the Betterposter collection are either directly linked to Canada or explore themes central to Canadian art: the power of nature, the expanse of the landscape, and the quality of northern light. Tom Thomson, a precursor to the famed Group of Seven, created iconic works such as The Jack Pine, and is widely regarded as a seminal figure in modern Canadian painting. His expressive style profoundly influenced a generation of painters, including Lawren Harris, A. Y. Jackson, and J. E. H. MacDonald, who approached nature not only as a visual motif but also as a spiritual force. Betterposter also offers prints by international artists whose work resonates with North American landscapes: Frederic Edwin Church and Thomas Moran, for instance, depicted scenes from both the United States and Canada — including majestic views of Niagara Falls — in expansive, light-suffused compositions. Albert Bierstadt also ventured into northern territories to capture the untouched beauty of the land on a monumental scale.

Nature Studies and Canada’s Wildlife

Another core aspect of Canadian visual culture is scientific illustration. Allan Brooks, a Canadian ornithologist and painter, produced highly refined bird studies that bridged the realms of science and art. His work stands in the tradition of naturalist illustrators such as John Gould and Louis Agassiz Fuertes, whose depictions of North American fauna are also available through Betterposter. Together, these artists reflect a shared commitment to the precise yet poetic rendering of the natural world.

Buy Fine Art Prints at Betterposter

If you are inspired by the majestic beauty of Canadian landscapes and the nature-based visual traditions of North America, Betterposter offers a carefully curated selection of high-quality fine art prints. From the untamed wilderness in Tom Thomson’s paintings to the luminous drama of Frederic Edwin Church’s compositions, our prints bring the essence of Canadian art history into your home with clarity and style. All prints are produced on long-lasting, color-rich paper and are available in a range of sizes — from compact formats to large-scale statements. Enjoy free shipping on orders over €59 and take advantage of our 100-day return policy to explore your personal favorites at your own pace.