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Listed Canadian Artist and Printmaker: 1879-1960
Titled: “Rue de la Chaise, Antwerp".
Edition Size: Unnumbered, Fred's early edition size was usually 30 prints.
Signed & Dated: "Fred S. Haines" dated 1914. Fred's 'chop' is lower left.
Image Size: w. 2.75 in. by h. 5.5 in.
Condition Note: Pristine with original colours, and without flaws.
Archivally encased: with acid-free, rag content materials throughout.
Frame: Magnificent vintage composition moulded ca.1920 custom frame.
Note of Interest: A Rare and Historic Find...This exceptional aquatint by Fred is one of the earliest etchings he created upon his return to Canada from the prestigious Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp, Belgium—just before the onset of World War I. Early works from this formative period are exceedingly rare, and in over 35 years, not a single one has surfaced at any fine art auction.
Unlike his later works, which focused on Canada's pastoral landscapes and cultural heritage, these early prints offer a captivating glimpse into the everyday life of cities and towns at the time. This aquatint is not just a work of art—it’s a rare window into the beginnings of a master printmakers’s journey.
Fred Haines, PRCA, OSA, Rue de la Chaise, Aquatint 1914
Fred Haines was a distinguished Canadian artist, engraver, and educator who played a significant role in the development of Canadian art in the early 20th century. Born in Meaford, Ontario, Haines demonstrated an early aptitude for art, which led him to study at the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) and the Central Ontario School of Art and Design in Toronto.
Haines' career spanned several disciplines, including painting, printmaking, and teaching. As a painter, he is best known for his landscapes, which often depicted the rugged beauty of the Canadian wilderness. His work reflected the influence of the Group of Seven, with whom he shared a passion for portraying Canada’s natural environment. However, Haines maintained a distinctive style characterized by refined detail and an emphasis on the interplay of light and shadow.
In addition to his achievements as a painter, Haines was an accomplished printmaker. He became a master of wood engraving and aquatint etching, producing detailed prints that captured both urban and rural Canadian scenes. His technical skill in printmaking earned him widespread recognition and helped elevate the medium of printmaking in Canadian art circles.
Haines was also deeply committed to arts education. He served as the Principal of the Ontario College of Art from 1932 to 1951, during which he significantly modernized the curriculum and championed the integration of traditional and contemporary art practices. Under his leadership, the college became a Canadian hub for artistic innovation and collaboration.
He is known to have studied at the prestigious Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.
His time in Europe exposed him to classical and contemporary European art traditions, which further influenced his artistic development. The European experience helped refine his technical skills, particularly in etching and engraving, and it broadened his appreciation for landscape and figure painting.
Haines returned to Canada in 1914 just before the outbreak of World War I, bringing with him the knowledge and techniques he had acquired abroad, which he integrated into his work and later shared with students during his tenure as an educator.
Haines was a founding member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour and a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, where he served as President from 1939 to 1945. His contributions to Canadian art were widely acknowledged during his lifetime, and his legacy continues to influence artists and educators today. His paintings and prints are held in numerous public and private collections across Canada, serving as a testament to his talent and dedication to Canadian art.
Frederick Stanley Haines passed away in Thornhill, Ontario, in 1960, leaving behind a rich body of work and a lasting impact on the Canadian art community.
Print Ref No: 12TOE24MUR-S/OOEX
Fred Haines Aquatint 1914
Updated March 26, 2025 |
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