Collections (old)

Alexandra Luke (Canadian, 1901 – 1967), Garden, 1958, oil on masonite. Gift of the artist, 1967.

About the Collection

The RMG’s permanent collection of over 4700 artworks includes nationally significant modern Canadian abstraction, the largest holding of works by Painters Eleven in the world, an expanding collection of contemporary art, and public art. The RMG is dedicated to collecting with intention in order to reflect the diverse voices and contemporary issues that make up the continuing story of Canadian art, including that of our local community. Explore our collections.

Painters 11

Painters Eleven was the first collective of abstract artists in Ontario. They were founded in 1953 at the cottage of artist Alexandra Luke on the Oshawa/Whitby border. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s collection began in 1967 when artist Alexandra Luke, a member of the Painters Eleven, donated thirty-seven works from her private collection. Luke’s donation of art included work by all of the members of Painters Eleven and helped to establish the RMG’s unique focus on collecting and exhibiting the work of Painters Eleven. Today, the RMG’s collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints by Painters Eleven has grown to over 1000 works, including works from before and after the Painters Eleven years (active 1953-1960). The RMG has regular exhibitions featuring works by the group, pulling together different aesthetics or themes.

Abstract painting with turquoise, red, black, blue, and purple.
Walter Yarwood (Canadian, 1917-1996), Sky Fire, 1957, oil on chipboard. Purchase, 1971.
Yellow, orange, and blue abstract painting.
Gordon Hortense (1887-1961), Orange and Yellows, Bound in Space, 1952, oil on canvas. Purchase 1971.
Abstract painting in blues, yellow and black.
Jock Macdonald (Canadian,1897-1960), Rim of the Sky, 1958, oil on canvas. Gift of Joan Murray, 1997.
Abstract painting in white, creams, black and orange.
Harold Town (Canadian, 1924-1990), Passage Over Yesterday, 1959, oil on canvas. Gift of the artist’s estate, 1994.
Abstract painting in white, creams, black and orange, with a blue background.
Alexandra Luke (Canadian, 1901-1967), Blue Dynasty, 1955, oil on canvas. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. S. McLaughlin, 1971.
Abstract painting that resembles a forest.
Kazuo Nakamura (Japanese Canadian, 1926-2002), Forest, 1953, oil on masonite. Gift of Charles E. McFaddin, 1974.

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Permanent Collection

The RMG’s collection consists of over 4,500 works of art, acquired either by purchase or gift. About 60 of these works are on view at any one time in the Permanent Collection galleries. Works are also loaned to other institutions locally, nationally, and internationally. The RMG collects historical, modern and contemporary Canadian art, and holds Canada’s largest collection of works by Painters Eleven. The RMG also has a growing collection of Public Art.

Jet flying over desert scene with sun and clouds.
Isabel McLaughlin (Canadian, 1903-2002), Jets Over Arizona, 1956, oil on canvas. Gift of the estate of Isabel McLaughlin 2004.
Landscape painting of rocky hills with a pond in the center and a blue sky in the background.
A.Y. Jackson (Canadian, 1882 – 1974), Untitled (Algoma), oil on panel. Gift of Alexandra Luke, 1967.
Abstract painting with a yellow and orange background, there are 5 different coloured circles spread out. On the left side of the painting there is an abstract figure of a person.
Oscar Cahen (Canadian, b. Denmark, 1916 – 1956), Small Structure, 1953/55, oil on canvas board. Gift of Alexandra Luke, 1967.
Painting of a man wearing a suit with dark brown hair in front of a brown background.
Wyatt Eaton (Canadian, 1849 – 1896), Portait of Hiram Krans, 1870, oil on canvas. Purchase, 1975.
A group of 12 square shaped broken windows on a black background.
Neil Newton (b. 1933); Broken Window; 1971; silver bromide print on fibre-based paper; Purchase, 1972
A blue cyanotype photograph of a young child sitting on a chair in front of a white wall.
Stephen Livick (b. 1945); Second Sunday; 1974; cyanotype on paper; Gift of the Ontario Arts Council, 1974

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Thomas Bouckley Collection

The Thomas Bouckley Collection is a photographic collection originally compiled by Oshawa historian and collector Thomas Bouckley. It consists of over 3500 images that depict the visual history of this community and is searchable online. The RMG actively engages the community with the collection through public programming and exhibitions, as well as an ongoing effort to augment and grow the collection by addressing gaps and omissions through community partnerships. Please contact Sonya Jones, Curator of Collections, for information about the Thomas Bouckley Collection at sjones@rmg.on.ca.

A black and white photograph of 5 men wearing suits standing around a train on the train tracks.
Railway Car, n.d.
A black and white photograph of a small airplane flying in front of a building.
Plane Crash at the Four Corners, 1918.
A black and white photograph of 5 women standing in front of a house with a white porch. There is a small dog sitting beside a woman in a rocking chair.
King Family Residence, 1890.
A black and white photograph of the town hall building with a tower on top of it while people walk down the street in the foreground.
Town Hall Fire, 1909.
A black and white photograph of a large brick building, there are 2 people standing on the stairs leading to the front door.
T.G. Gale Home, 1905.
A black and white photograph of 4 elephants in a parade walking past a crowd of people standing on the street.
Circus Parade Elephants, 1912.

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Archives

The RMG Archives includes artist files, interviews, and special collections. To book a research appointment or for information, please contact Sonya Jones at sjones@rmg.on.ca.

Art Library

The RMG Library is the largest and most comprehensive art library located between Toronto and Kingston, with particular focus on Canadian art. The Library is open to the public for in-library use by appointment only. Please contact Sonya Jones to make an appointment at sjones@rmg.on.ca