T. R. MacDonald

T. R. MacDonald LL. D. (28 June 1908 – 15 October 1978) was a Canadian painter and photographer of nudes, portraits, still life, and street scenes. As an Official Second World War artist, he served in the First Canadian Infantry Division.

Biography MacDonald was born in Montreal and studied with Adam Sheriff Scott at his private school (1928–1930), then with Edmond Dyonnet at the Art Association of Montreal (1930–1933). and formed many of his friendships with painters there. It provided him with an artistic "brotherhood". He made drawings, watercolours in the field and oil paintings after he returned to London and was discharged from the army in September 1945. The Canadian War Museum has 80 of his artworks in its collection.

MacDonald had three objectives: to refurbish the existing facility; to develop a largely Canadian permanent collection; and to undertake exhibitions that would bring Canadian art to Hamilton, all of which he achieved, particularly in the area of collection and exhibition activities. Through MacDonald's initiative and friendships with Canadian art patrons, collectors and artists, he built what was to become one of the major collections of Canadian historical art in the country, as well as early 20th century American and modern British art. He was considered a "collecting genius", buying keynote acquisitions such as Alex Colville's iconic Horse and Train. In 1974, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario awarded him an Honorary Doctorate.

MacDonald died while on a trip to Paris in 1978. Arts Club, Montreal (1932, 1935); 1968: retrospective exhibition of MacDonald's paintings and drawings, McMaster University Art Gallery; 1980: T. R. MacDonald 1908–1978, Art Gallery of Hamilton.

Selected public collections National Gallery of Canada; Art Gallery of Hamilton; Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown;