Florence Helena McGillivray (1864–1938)
Artist
Florence Helena McGillivray was born in Whitby, Ontario. She studied at the Ontario School of Art in Toronto under William Cruikshank and at various studios across the city. She later became a teacher at the Ontario Ladies’ College in Whitby.
McGillivray travelled around the world and used the places she saw as inspiration for her paintings. Between 1881 and 1912 she travelled across Canada and to Trinidad, Jamaica, and the Bahamas as well as Europe in 1913.
During her travels, McGillivray was influenced by art nouveau and French impressionism, both of which had yet to affect the Canadian painting world. Her painting style varied greatly, possibly reflecting the many places she visited.
After returning home to Toronto, McGillivray moved to Ottawa and travelled around Eastern Canada, sketching and painting the landscapes she saw.