Ross Reverdy Osgood 1867-1946

Ross Reverdy Osgood 1867 – 1946
Title: After the Storm ( Port Talbot inscribed on stretcher )
Size: 16″ x 23 1/4″ ( 21 1/4″ x 28 1/2″ framed ) ……. SOLD!!!

Although this painting seems to represent the passing of bad weather, it’s also all that remains of a town that was stormed by American forces in 1814. Early in the 1800’s, Colonel Thomas Tabolt received a land grant from the crown and built up a thriving settlement. The town known as Port Talbot, was located at the mouth of Talbot Creek, which flows into Lake Erie just west of Port Stanley. During the war of 1812, American troops burned the settlement to the ground, never to be rebuilt. Although, nothing remains of it’s past, in 1923 the site was declared a National Historic Site in Canada.

Ross Reverdy Osgood was a self-taught artist who considered nature the best teacher. Both a painter in oil and watercolour, his works consist mostly of portraits, landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes. He worked out of his studio in St. Thomas, Ontario, where he also held art classes. Several of the artist’s paintings are held by the Art Gallery of Ontario and his portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald hangs in the Ontario Parliament Building. The St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre holds a painting very similar to “After the Storm” by the artist and is titled “Talbot Creek”.

Osgood exhibited the following four paintings at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition and one at the Ontario Society of Artists. The Toronto Industrial Exhibition was founded in 1879, now known as the CNE and it’s Fine Art Department was under the management Ontario Society of Artists.

#244 “A Misty Morning”, $100 – Toronto Industrial Exhibition 1890
#245 “A Five Dollar Bill”, $25 – Toronto Industrial Exhibition 1890
#350 Sunshine and Shadow, $200 – Toronto Industrial Exhibition 1894
#344 “The Political Meeting”, – Toronto Industrial Exhibition 1896
#52 “A Canadian Sugar Camp”, – Ontario Society of Artists 1900

During world war one, Osgood served in France with the Engineers of the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, creating numerous sketches and drawing of action on the Western Front. Injured from shrapnel, he was discharged in 1919, being severely disabled. Once back home in St Thomas, he created larger works from his overseas sketches and drawings, including of the time he spent in the English countryside. The artist would continue painting until his degenerated eyesight forced him to lay down his brushes.

Of special note; Some of his paintings are signed R. R. Osgood, while others are signed R. R. Osgoode.

From April 13 to Aug. 31, 2019 , the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre held the exhibition “Foundation: 50 Years Selections from the Collection” . The showing of Ross Reverdy Osgood paintings along with other historical artist of the region, such as, William St. Thomas Smith, Lila Knowles, Caroline Curtis and Clark McDougall. It’s interesting to hear all the works we displayed ” hung in the traditional salon style “.