Frederic Waistell Jopling

Frederic Waistell Jopling was an English-born Canadian painter, illustrator, and printmaker. Born in London, England, Jopling immigrated to Canada with his family in 1874. He received his early formal art education in Toronto at the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA) art school before moving to New York City in 1880 to further his studies at the Art Students League.

While residing in New York, Jopling built a career as an illustrator and advertising artist. His illustrations appeared in major American periodicals of the era, including Harper's Weekly and Collier's. He maintained a commercial studio practice in the United States for three decades before returning to Canada in 1912 and settling permanently in Toronto.

Upon his return to Toronto, Jopling shifted his focus toward fine art printmaking, particularly etching and aquatint. His subject matter focused on architectural, industrial, and historical visual records across Ontario, documenting subjects such as the construction of the Welland Canal, Osgoode Hall, historic fortresses, landmark Toronto structures, and local landscapes. He was a member of the Society of Canadian Painter-Etchers and Engravers (CPE) and later developed an aquatint printmaking technique during the 1940s.

Works by Jopling have been acquired for public institutional collections, including the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa and the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Jopling continued his artistic practice in Toronto until his death in 1945.