Paul Giovanni Wickson

• Born 1859 in Toronto, moved as a young boy to England
• Graduated from the Kensington School of Art in 1878 where he was a gold medalist.
• returned to Canada in the early 1880's and married Elizabeth Hamilton. They lived at Elizabeth's family home, 165 Grand River North, originally called Hillside, but now called Hamilton Place. He painted in the belvedere of this historic cobblestone home.
• Noted for his rural scenes, especially featuring horses and cattle.
• Known throughout Canada and the United States.
• Commissioned by Canadian Government to do a series of five paintings on the history of the Northwest, depicting the advance of civilization throughout the prairie provinces. These were shown at the St. Louis Exhibition and at Liege, Belgium.
• Wickson's image, The First Furrow, was used on the Canadian $5 bill for a number of years.
• He used local people and scenes for some of his work.
• He was active in our community, serving on the school board, municipal council and the Library Board.
• He was an avid gardener and horseman.
• He died Sept. 2, 1922 in Paris.