Sir Daniel Wilson (1816-1892): Ambidextrous Polymath

This major exhibition focuses on the art of the University’s first president, anthropologist Sir Daniel Wilson (1816-1892). Before coming to Toronto from his native Scotland in 1853 (to take up a post as professor of history and English literature at University College) Wilson had worked as an engraver. Guest curator Robert Stacey amassed a great deal of fascinating research on Wilson’s career as a visual artist, and located some outstanding examples of Wilson’s work in engraving.

Once Wilson arrived in Canada, he changed medium, switching from engraving to watercolour, and from city views to painting the North American wilderness on his annual summer canoe trips. The artist’s watercolours are brilliant, jewel-like depictions of these travels.

Wilson was a true, two-handed polymath and renaissance man; not only a gifted artist, he was an historian, ethnologist, poet, literary critic, and museum maker.

Featuring some 150 works, this exhibition is the first opportunity for public viewing of Wilson’s work in Toronto since the memorial 1920 exhibition of his watercolours at the Art Gallery of Ontario. A full-length, full-colour catalogue accompanies the exhibition.