*J.E.H. MacDonald, The Supply Boat, 1916.*

James Edward Hervey MacDonald was born on May 12, 1873, in Durham, England and died at a young age in Toronto, on November 26, 1932. In 1911, he met Lawren Harris. They started working together and then organized their first joint exhibition. MacDonald met A. Y. Jackson and invited him to one of his exhibitions, which led to several painting trips. In 1920, they co-founded the Group of Seven.

Alongside his painting activities, he had been working as a commercial designer since 1895. Over the following years, when he worked at Grip Ltd, he encouraged his colleagues, including Tom Thomson, to advance their painting abilities. Then, as the Principal of the Ontario College of Art in 1928 until his death, he started painting less frequently and with less consistent success.

J. E. H. MacDonald stands out from the other members of the Group of Seven through several distinct qualities and contributions:

MacDonald's work is often noted for its poetic and romantic qualities. His landscapes tend to have a softer, more lyrical approach compared to the sometimes bolder and more abstract works of his peers.
His paintings frequently emphasize mood and atmosphere, capturing the ethereal and transient qualities of nature. This emotional resonance sets his work apart from the more graphic and structural approaches of other members like Lawren Harris and A. Y. Jackson. He was also a poet, and his literary sensibilities often infused his visual art.
Before focusing on painting, MacDonald had a background in graphic design and commercial art. This experience influenced his composition and design elements, contributing to the unique aesthetic of his work.
MacDonald's choice of landscapes often included not just the wild, untamed nature scenes but also more tranquil and serene settings, reflecting his broad appreciation of Canada's natural beauty.