Georgian Bay, with its network of hidden inlets, rugged outcrops and dramatic weather, was a strong source of inspiration for the Group of Seven and A.Y. Jackson. From 1910 to the late 1960s, Jackson embarked on extended sketching trips throughout the region. He held a deep affection for nature in flux, and as a seasoned outdoorsman, was undeterred by the area’s moody summer storms, formidable winds and rocky shorelines. Charles Comfort notes the unpredictable character of Georgian Bay, whereby “a morning of serene calm may change to an afternoon of calamitous seas. It is a region of great beauty and fierce contrasts.… It seems natural that this region should attract adventurous spirits…”

In Moon Bay, Jackson deftly captures these opposing energies and imbues the iconic scene with rhythm and vitality. Beneath the sweeping cloud forms, solitary pines stand resolutely atop the contours of weather-worn pink granite, while the rushing falls of Moon River flow into the tranquil bay. This canvas is an exceptional example of Jackson’s honed style and a testament to his spirited excursions into the remote Canadian landscape.