Lilias T Newton's painting of AY Jackson

This portrait of AY Jackson was painted many years ago by Lilias T. Newton. It's a delightful study of AY for those who enjoy reading character into facial features. Take a close look at AY's eyes. They appear to be focused eyes on something. He isn't just looking off into space as we see done with subjects in most portrait studies.

Do you see a certain look of peevishness in his smile, or is it something which I am reading into the work?

There is an interesting story behind the story here. Do you see his art board in the lower part of the painting? What was he up to? Was he sketching or painting a work of interest - or was he drawing or painting Lilias as she painted him?

Its interesting to notice that AY is seated before one of his own background works - or if not, it at least, a work which is painted in his style.

Mo Bayliss, writes that it was most likely painted at the Studio building in Toronto where many of the Group of Seven painted.