Search for the Blue Goose

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Soper, an ornithologist, made several trips to the eastern Arctic
(mainly Baffin Island and the coast of Greenland) in the 1920s. While
his main objective was to locate the habitat of the blue goose, he also
contributed greatly to our knowledge of Inuit life and the geography of
the Arctic.

In retirement, during the 1970s, he painted masses of water-colors
based on his memories, photos, and field sketches. The 47 plates in this
work are drawn from that collection and united by a narrative supplied
by the curator of the Soper collection at the University of Calgary.

Soper’s scenics have a forcefulness and boldness almost unheard of in
water-colors. His mastery of the texture of snow, water, and other
natural elements is outstanding. Unfortunately, as soon as he introduced
an animal or figure into a painting, his mastery disappeared. His
people, birds, and animals are stilted, out-of-proportion, and awkward.
They give a suggestion of folk art, making a sharp contrast to his
dynamic landscapes.

The Soper collection has great historical significance, and this book
opens the doors to public awareness of that national treasure. At the
same time, anyone who has ever aspired to paint in water-color will find
the book a fascinating study.