Early Life, Family and Training

John Alfsen was born in Alpena, Michigan, on 23 December 1902. His early years in the United States were cut short when his family made the move to Canada. In 1913, at the age of eleven, he emigrated from Michigan and settled in Toronto. This transition marked the beginning of a life deeply rooted in the Canadian art scene, though his origins remained tied to the American Midwest.

As he grew into adulthood, Alfsen sought out formal instruction to refine his natural inclinations. Between 1920 and 1922, he spent his time studying at the Ontario College of Art. During these formative years, he learned under the guidance of several notable figures, including Arthur Lismer, F. H. Varley, and J.W. Beatty. These early lessons provided the foundation for a career defined by a focus on the human form and the complexities of figurative subjects.

Artistic Education and Training

After his early years in Canada, Alfsen sought out the formal training necessary to refine his eye and hand. His path took him through several significant institutions across Europe and North America. He spent time studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, a period that helped shape his understanding of classical form. This European influence was furthered in Paris, where he moved beyond the canvas to explore the physical weight of sculpture. At the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, he studied under Antoine Bourdelle, learning to manipulate form in three dimensions.

His training continued in the United States, where he traveled to New York in 1925. During this time, he attended the Art Students' League, studying under Kenneth Hayes Miller. This period of study helped him develop a versatile approach to his craft. While he became widely recognized for his paintings, his education provided him with a broad technical foundation. He became equally comfortable working with oils, chalk, and pastels, and he maintained a deep interest in the tactile nature of sculpture.

Professional Career and Teaching

Alfsen’s professional life was deeply rooted in the classroom. He spent much of his career at the Ontario College of Art, where he taught from 1926 until 1971. His long tenure there made him a steady presence in the Canadian art community for decades. Beyond the familiar halls of his home institution, he spent two years living in Sarasota. During this time, he taught at the Ringling Brothers School of Art, a period that allowed him to observe and paint the people of the circus during the winter months.

His standing within the artistic community was reflected in his various memberships and honors. He joined the Ontario Society of Artists in 1939 and became a member of the Canadian Group of Painters and the Canadian Society of Graphic Art in 1956. Later, in 1959, he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. These affiliations marked his active involvement in the formal structures of Canadian art during the mid-twentieth century.

Key Works and Subjects

Alfsen was primarily a figurative artist, drawn to the human form and the quiet moments of life. His interests were broad, ranging from the stillness of landscapes to the more intimate studies of nudes. He had a particular fascination with the circus, a subject that allowed him to explore movement and character. During his winters in Florida, he spent time with the Ringling Brothers School of Art, a period that inspired works like Clown Alley.

His portraiture and figure studies often captured a sense of presence. In 1930, he produced Femme endormie, and later, around 1947-1948, he painted Portrait of Helen. These works reflect his ability to translate the physical world into oil on canvas, focusing on the weight and character of his subjects.

• Femme endormie (1930)
• Portrait of Helen (about 1947-1948)
• Clown Alley

Where to See the Works Today

Finding the traces of John Alfsen's life work requires a trip through several significant Canadian institutions. His presence is felt in the halls of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, where his contributions are held within the permanent collection. You can also find his handiwork at the Art Gallery of Ontario, which holds pieces like his circus-themed studies, and at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. These collections preserve the various facets of his interest in the human form and the movement of life.

Beyond the major galleries, his legacy is tucked away in academic settings. The University College Collection of the Art Museum at the University of Toronto maintains works that reflect his long-standing connection to the teaching community. These pieces offer a glimpse into the technical skill he passed down to his students over many decades. It is a quiet way to encounter the artist through the institutions that shaped his professional environment.

For those seeking a more personal connection to his history, his work can be seen at Alfsen House in Markham, Ontario. This location provides a different atmosphere than a formal museum, offering a sense of the spaces that were part of his lived experience. Whether in a large public gallery or a more intimate setting, his paintings and drawings remain accessible to those looking to study his approach to portraiture and figurative subjects.