The remote locale of Georgian Bay, Ontario, with its rugged topography, was an enduring source of inspiration to Arthur Lismer. Following his first visit in 1913, he would return to the area regularly, often accompanied by his family. Although his career as an educator limited the time he had available to explore the Canadian wilderness in search of sketching sites, Lismer made the most of the summer months, producing some of his most exceptional works in response to the vibrant scenery of this beloved region.

In 1933, while traveling north to McGregor Bay, he stopped at Baie Fine, near Killarney, and produced this sketch, featuring the stoic motif of the solitary pine tree. The rocky foreground, the distant verdant hills, and the lush patterns of flora in bloom are vividly rendered through Lismer’s bold, earthy palette, defined forms and expressive brushwork. Here, the often-moody weather of the region softens into a serene, sunlit image of high summer, evoking the exuberant chorus of bumblebees and birdsong. A luminous example of his distinctive vision, this work underscores Lismer’s deep appreciation for the vitality of the Georgian Bay landscape.