Leonard Hutchinson

Leonard Hutchinson (1896-1980) RCA, OSA, CPE

Known as "The Peoples' Artist," Leonard Hutchinson was born in Manchester, England. After serving in the English Royal Military Corps, Hutchinson settled in Hamilton, Ontario, where he began working as a graphic artist. Hutchinson became known for his work as a social realist artist, portraying labourers during times of hardship, particularly during the Great Depression before the second world war. His print works depict rural Canada and everyday workers, including farmers, fishers, loggers, and steelworkers. Hutchinson's particular ability to capture the daily struggle of Canadian labourers and working class earned him the epithet as the People's Artist and established him as a key figure in Canadian art.