Tag: updates

  • Kurelek Masterwork Fetches $472,000 During Record-Breaking Spring Auction

    William Kurelek, Hot Day in Kensington MarketToronto, ON (May 29, 2018) – Consignor Canadian Fine Art’s Spring Live Auction of Important Canadian Art, held Tuesday evening at Toronto’s Gardiner Museum, concluded with stellar results for a wide range of rare and quality artworks which celebrate Canada’s diverse history and culture.

    Among the exemplary works up for bid was the auction debut of William Kurelek’s Toronto series masterpiece, Hot Day in Kensington Market, which more than tripled its opening bid, selling for $472,000 – the second highest auction price on record for the artist (all prices include an 18 percent buyer’s premium, the lowest in the Canadian auction industry).

    A second painting by Kurelek entitled Hauling Hay also easily surpassed its pre-auction estimate, fetching $94,400.

    The most surprising result of the evening was a record set for renowned Canadian war artist, Charles Comfort, whose oil on board titled, Smokestacks, Copper Cliffsold for $33,040; six-times its auction estimate of $3,000- $5,000. The painting is one of several preparatory sketches to the final canvas, Smelter StacksCopper Cliff, which is housed in the National Gallery of Canada’s permanent collection.  The previous record for a Charles Comfort work of art was $20,700 (for Hope Island Light, Lake Huron, sold in 2005).

    Solid auction results were also achieved for:

    • Emily CarrLogged Land, a 1930s oil on paper on canvas support, sold for a strong price of $377,600
    • A.Y. JacksonRuisseau Jureux, 1931 oil on canvas painting sold for $88,500
    • Marcelle FerronSans titre, an important canvas selling for $49,560, by the artist who was a major figure in the Quebec contemporary arts scene
    • Jean McEwenLes Fiançailles No. 5, large-scale 75” X 75” oil on canvas by Montreal abstract master (auction estimate of $25,000 – $35,000) tripled its estimate at $88,500
    • A striking and rare 22-karat miniature gold sculpture by Haida artist and sculptor Bill ReidChief of the Undersea World sold for a strong $129,800
    • Daphne Odjig’s Family Ties, a 36” X 34” acrylic on canvas painted in 1981, which made its auction debut sold for $37,760

    View full auction results by following this link.

    About Consignor Canadian Fine Art

    Since its inception in 2013, Consignor’s live and online auctions have included headline-grabbing works such as a rare 100-year-old Tom Thomson portrait (Daydreaming, sold for $172,500), an undiscovered William Kurelek (Ukrainian Proverb, sold for $41,400), and Jack Bush’s Summer Lake broke online auction records in May 2014 for the most expensive painting by a Canadian artist to be sold at an online auction ($310,500). Consignor’s inaugural live auction event in May 2016 set the record for the highest-selling Algoma sketch by Lawren Harris, fetching $977,500, tripling the previous auction record.

    Consignor Canadian Fine Art is currently accepting consignments for its upcoming auctions, including the June Online Auction of Canadian and International Artwork, with bidding open at consignor.ca from June 6-13, 2018.

  • William Kurelek Masterpiece makes its Auction Debut at Consignor Spring Sale

    A stunning Emily Carr landscape; a 22-karat gold sculpture by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid and a enchanting canvas by trailblazer Daphne Odjig among highlights of Consignor’s Live Spring Auction, taking place May 29th in Toronto

    April 23, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – Consignor Canadian Fine Art will be shining a celebratory spotlight on Canada’s diversity in its upcoming Spring Live Auction of Important Canadian Art on Tuesday, May 29 at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto. The auction debut of William Kurelek’s enduring masterpiece, Hot Day in Kensington Market (1972), is among the exemplary works on offer that reflect Canada’s unique multicultural communities from coast to coast.

    Kurelek’s scene of Toronto’s bustling Kensington Market in the ‘70s depicts various nationalities of the people in the crowds to the local businesses including a Hungarian bakery, Jewish butcher shop and Portuguese fish market. The painting, still in its original frame (crafted by the artist), was one of 21 works by Kurelek that was part of an acclaimed exhibition, Toronto, which the artist described as ‘depicting the soul of the city.’ Although multiple paintings from the series have appeared at auction over the years, this will be the first time that Hot Day in Kensington Market will hit the auction block (auction estimate valued at $150,000 – $200,000).

    “William Kurelek is one of Canada’s most celebrated artists and storytellers, beloved for his whimsical and charming themes ranging from his childhood memories of being raised on a Manitoba farm to his well-known Toronto series,” said Rob Cowley, President of Consignor. “Hot Day in Kensington Market is one of the most popular and appealing of his Toronto scenes, and it is regarded as a significant work by Kurelek collectors, presenting the painter’s unique narrative, celebrating Canadian identity, multiculturalism and the city he loved on a sweltering summer day.”

    Consignor’s Spring auction will also feature two exceptional works from internationally acclaimed artists and Indigenous art vanguards, Daphne Odjig and Bill Reid. Odjig was the driving force behind the Professional Native Indian Artists Association, colloquially known at the time as the ‘Indian Group of Seven,’ and was integral in bringing the profile of Native art and artists to the mainstream foreground. Odjig’s Family Ties, a 36” X 34” acrylic on canvas painted in 1981, has never been offered at auction, coming to the block from a corporate Canadian collection (auction estimate of $30,000 – $40,000).

    Haida artist Bill Reid was considered the unofficial eighth member of the artists group founded by Odjig. He made his mark as a sculptor, renowned for his monumental works depicting Haida art and life. Reid is widely credited with the innovative revitalization of Northwest Coast Native arts and has created jewellery, sculpture and art on various mediums from cedar to jade and precious metals. A striking and rare 22-karat miniature gold sculpture, Chief of the Undersea World (estimated value of $125,000 – $175,000) was carved during the production period of the 18-ft bronze killer whale monument outside of the Vancouver Aquarium. It will be the first gold edition of his iconic killer whale carvings to be offered at auction.

    Other notable Canadian works of art that will be highlighted in Consignor’s live Spring auction include:

    Emily Carr, Logged Land, 23” x 34.75” oil on paper on canvas support (auction estimate of $275,000 – $325,000)
    A.Y. Jackson, Ruisseau Jureux, 1931 oil on canvas painting (auction estimate of $125,000 – $175,000)
    Marcelle Ferron, Sans titre, a major figure in the Quebec contemporary arts scene (auction estimate of $30,000 – $40,000)
    Jean McEwen, Les Fiançailles No. 5, a large-scale  canvas by Montreal abstract master (estimate $25,000 – $35,000)

    Live previews begin May 1st at the Consignor Canadian Fine Art Gallery located at 326 Dundas Street W. and the auction is currently viewable at consignor.ca. Consignor’s Spring Live Auction of Important Canadian Art will take place on Tuesday, May 29 (7pm) at the Gardiner Museum located at 111 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON.

  • Un chef-d’œuvre de William Kurelek fait ses débuts aux enchères chez Consignor

    Un paysage magnifique d’Emily Carr, une sculpture en or de 22 carats par le célèbre artiste Haïda Bill Reid et une toile enchanteresse de Daphne Odjig, sont parmi les points saillants de la vente aux enchères de Consignor, laquelle aura lieu le 29 mai à Toronto.

    Consignor Canadian Fine Art soulignera la diversité du Canada lors de la prochaine vente en salle semestrielle qui aura lieu le mardi 29 mai au musée Gardiner à Toronto. Le chef-d’œuvre de William Kurelek, Hot Day in Kensington Market (1972), figure parmi les œuvres exemplaires qui reflètent le multiculturalisme du Canada d’un océan à l’autre.

    La scène animée de Kurelek au marché Kensington à Toronto durant les années 70 représente diverses nationalités parmi les commerces locaux, y compris une boulangerie hongroise, une boucherie juive et un marché aux poissons portugais. Le tableau, toujours dans son cadre original (conçu par l’artiste), était l’une des 21 œuvres de Kurelek qui faisaient partie d’une exposition acclamée, « Toronto », que l’artiste décrit comme « représentant l’âme de la ville ». Bien que de nombreux tableaux de la série aient étés présentés aux enchères au cours des années, ce sera la première fois que Hot Day in Kensington Market sera sur le marché d’enchères (estimation de 150 000 $ – 200 000 $).

    « William Kurelek est l’un des artistes et conteurs les plus célèbres du Canada, bien-aimé pour ses thèmes fantaisistes et charmants, allant de ses souvenirs d’enfance dans une ferme au Manitoba à sa série bien connue de Toronto », dit Rob Cowley, président de Consignor. « Hot Day in Kensington Market est l’une des scènes représentant Toronto les plus populaires et les plus attrayantes, et il est considéré comme un travail important par les collectionneurs de Kurelek, célébrant l’identité canadienne, le multiculturalisme et la ville que l’artiste adorait, lors d’une chaude journée d’été ».

    La vente aux enchères du printemps de Consignor présentera également deux œuvres exceptionnelles d’artistes de renommée internationale et avant-gardistes de l’art autochtone, Daphne Odjig et Bill Reid. Odjig était la force motrice du groupe « The Professional Native Indian Artists Association », familièrement connue à l’époque sous le nom de « The Indian Group of Seven », et a contribué à faire connaître l’art autochtone au premier plan. Family Ties d’Odjig, une acrylique sur toile de 36” X 34″ peinte en 1981, n’a jamais été offerte aux enchères, venant d’une collection d’entreprise canadienne (estimation de 30 000 $ – 40 000 $).

    L’artiste Haïda Bill Reid était considéré comme le huitième membre non officiel du groupe d’artistes fondé par Odjig. Il a fait sa marque en tant que sculpteur, réputé pour ses œuvres monumentales représentant l’art et la vie Haïda. Reid est largement reconnu pour la revitalisation des arts autochtones de la côte du Nord-Ouest; il a créé des bijoux, de la sculpture de divers médiums, y compris du cèdre, du jade et de métaux précieux. Une sculpture rare en or de 22 carats, « Chief of the Undersea World » (valeur estimée de 125 000 $ à 175 000 $) a été sculptée pendant la période de production du monument de 18 pi en bronze à l’extérieur de l’aquarium de Vancouver. Ce sera la première édition en or de ses sculptures emblématiques d’orques à être offerte aux enchères.

    D’autres points saillants de la vente en salle du printemps 2018 de Consignor:

    Emily Carr, Logged Land, 23” x 34.75” huile sur papier montée sur toile (estimation 275 000 $ – 325 000 $)

    A.Y. Jackson, Ruisseau Jureux, 1931 huile sur toile (estimation 125 000 $ – 175 000 $)

    Marcelle Ferron, Sans titre, une figure majeure de la scène artistique québécoise (estimation 30 000 $ – 40 000 $)

    Jean McEwen, Les Fiançailles No. 5, une toile à grande échelle par un maître peintre Montréalais (estimation 25 000 $ – 35 000 $)

    Les œuvres d’art sont présentement exposées à la galerie Consignor Canadian Fine Art, au 326, rue Dundas Ouest. Pour de plus amples renseignements sur l’exposition et la vente en salle, ainsi que pour accéder au catalogue en ligne, veuillez consulter le site internet consignor.ca. La vente se tiendra le mardi 29 mai, au musée Gardiner (111, Queen’s Park, Toronto).

  • Beyond Face Value: A Focus on Portraiture in our Spring Live Auction

    Our Spring Live Auction of Important Canadian Art includes a number of portraits by artists from a wide array of backgrounds. In certain works, importance is placed on the sitter’s identity, while in others the model is secondary to a particular sentiment or underlying message. Media and formal qualities such as colour scheme and brushstroke application also play a role in the artist’s intentions for presenting a human figure in a work of art.

    The longstanding practice of portraiture was historically intended for documenting and memorializing the rich and powerful. Prior to the invention of photography,  a painted, sculpted, or drawn portrait was the only way to record one’s appearance. Customarily, most completed works consisted of a serious, closed-lip stare, rarely demonstrating any emotion beyond a slight smile. In most cases the artist’s objective was to capture the inner essence of the subject – the expression of character and moral quality, as opposed to anything superficial or temporary. Following the invention of photography and developments in modern art, portraiture has evolved as a practice to be much more liberated for personal expression and experimentation.

    The artists whose portraits are featured in our Spring Live Auction had the freedom to portray their subjects in their own individual style and for whichever purpose they chose. This blog entry takes a closer look at what makes a selection of six of these artworks significant and what differentiates them from one another, as I believe portraits can be better and further appreciated when a context is provided.

    Lot #28

    William Goodridge Roberts

    Seated Nude (Joan)

    oil on canvas

    signed and dated “May, 1955” lower right

    32 x 25 ins (81.3 x 63.5 cms)

    Estimated: $14,000-18,000

    Goodridge Roberts (1904-1974) was known for landscapes, portraits and still lifes with vivid colours and expressive brushstrokes. The identity of the sitter is particularly pertinent in this example of the Roberts’ work, as she is the artist’s wife. Painted in 1955, the artwork was acquired by the current owner directly from Mrs. Roberts in 1977. Joan’s relaxed pose, together with the casual interior setting with loosely draped fabric, alludes to a strong sense of intimacy in the picture; this is reinforced by our knowledge of the relationship between the sitter and the artist.

     

    Lot #29

    Jean Paul Lemieux

    Dame au collier de perles

    oil on canvas

    signed lower right; titled on the stretcher

    20 x 16 ins (50.8 x 40.6 cms)

    Estimated: $30,000-50,000

    Dame au collier de perles illustrates Jean Paul Lemieux’s ability to highlight human emotion and facial expression. Arguably the most famous Quebecois artist, Lemieux’s (1904-1990) portraits were often influenced by Edvard Munch and the Expressionist school of painting, as they evoke anxiety and the artist’s dark and tragic vision. The unidentified sitter’s powerful stare directly at the viewer exudes anxiousness and vulnerability; it is contrasted, however, with an ornate three-strand pearl necklace and glamorous red dress. A woman wearing a necklace became a recurring motif in Lemieux’s portraits, referencing the popular theme of feminine vanity in Western painting.

    Lot #49

    Joe Fafard

    Painter and His Model (Egon Schiele)

    chemical patina on bronze

    signed, dated 2015 and numbered 1/3

    28.5 x 10 x 10 ins (72.4 x 25.4 x 25.4 cms) (overall)

    Estimated: $12,000-16,000

    Contemporary sculptor Joe Fafard (b. 1942) created his ‘Mes Amis’ series as a tribute to those who have inspired him in his own artwork, whether it be artists, friends or family members. Exhibited in 2015 at the Slate Fine Art Gallery in Regina, the series included sculptures of several 19th and 20th century artists, such as Emily Carr, Michael Snow, Georgia O’Keeffe, and in this case, Egon Schiele. Fafard depicts the Austrian painter Schiele, who is known for his nude figural works and self-portraits, standing with a naked man hugging him from behind, thus forming “The Painter and His Model.”

    Lot #63

    Evan Penny

    L. Faux

    plaster sculpture, mounted on a wood frame

    43 x 36 x 12 ins (109.2 x 91.4 x 30.5 cms) (overall)

    Estimate: $7,000-9,000

    Contemporary artist Evan Penny (b. 1952) worked with FX Smith in Toronto in the 1990s, making prosthetics, body doubles and other props for a variety of films. This experience inspired his later three-dimensional works, notably this relief sculpture from the L. Faux series from 2000-2005. The production plaster explores the notion of blurring boundaries between the real and the replica in its extraordinary detail that creates a lifelike three-dimensional portrait of Libby Faux. Executed in high relief, the sculptural aesthetic of L. Faux reminds us of the white marble portrait busts of Ancient Rome.

     

    Lot #91

    Randolph Hewton

    Portrait of Thomas Archer, Esq.

    oil on canvas

    40 x 33 ins (101.6 cms x 83.8 cms)

    Estimated: $6,000-8,000

    A Montreal native who studied in Paris, Randolph Hewton (1888-1960) was a pioneer of Modernism in Canadian painting of the early twentieth century. Portrait of Thomas Archer, Esq. was likely a commissioned work and demonstrates Hewton’s modernist take on the traditional practice of portraiture. The sitter’s attire suggests a formal or professional demeanor, though his cross-legged pose with a book on his lap and cigarette in his hand indicates a more casual or ‘modern’ tone to the painting. Hewton’s use of vibrant colours were at first controversial in Canada, as he had adopted this palette from the European Avant-Garde while in Paris from 1908 to 1913.

     

    Lot #108

    Marc-Aurèle Suzor-Coté

    Portrait of a Woman

    oil on canvas

    signed lower right

    13 x 12 ins (33 x 30 cms)

    Estimated: $5,000-7,000

    Marc-Aurèle Suzor-Coté (1869-1937) was a famous French-Canadian artist known for his landscape paintings as well as portraits of their rural inhabitants. The artist had a deep respect and empathy for his sitters, as emphasized in this portrait of a peasant woman in profile. Suzor-Coté was influenced by 19th century French Realist artists such as Jean-François Millet. The Realists had the controversial objective to place importance on the working-class and elevate their status as worthy subjects for portraiture – which had traditionally been reserved for the wealthy.

  • Important Sketch by J.E.H. MacDonald Marks Early Example of Budding Friendship with Lawren Harris

    Tom Thomson, Jean Paul Riopelle, and a well-known work by Jock MacDonald Featured at Consignor’s Fall Live Auction on November 22nd

    (Toronto – November 7, 2016) – Following Consignor Canadian Fine Arts highly successful live auction debut in May 2016 (that included a record-breaking sale of Lawren Harris’s Algoma Sketch 48), the auction house launches its second live auction event featuring an exciting catalogue of important Canadian works, to be held at the historic Berkeley Church in downtown Toronto on November 22, 2016. A 1912 sketch by founding Group of Seven member and one of Canada’s most celebrated painters, J.E.H. MacDonald, Tracks and Traffic (auction estimate: $200,000 to $250,000), will anchor the auction.

    Tracks and Traffic is a sketch of the well-known canvas that is currently part of the Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) collection, and was recently included in the Toronto showing of the Steve Martin-curated exhibition, The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris. The work provides a glimpse of what the city of Toronto looked like over a century ago, and depicts a scene of the harbourfront neighbourhood at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Front Street during the industrial period.

    It is well known that MacDonald was one of Lawren Harris’s closest friends and the pair often painted together in Toronto. Tracks and Traffic was created just months after the two artists met in late 1911, and eight years before the formation of the Group of Seven. Harris also sketched this scene from another angle, suggesting that the friends could have been together during the painting expedition. If so, the sketch would mark one of the very first examples of members of the Group of Seven painting together.

    We’re thrilled to follow up on the success of our inaugural live auction, with a strong offering of exemplary artworks by many of Canada’s most beloved artists,” said Rob Cowley, President of Consignor Canadian Fine Art. “The fall catalogue features many artworks hitting the auction block for the first time and we anticipate there will be a great appetite for these works among collectors.”

    Auction Debuts and Highlights:

    • DEBUT – An important canvas by Painters Eleven founding member Jock MacDonald, Daybreak from his Modality series (auction estimate: $70,000 to $90,000)
    • 1962 canvas by internationally celebrated Quebec painter, Jean Paul Riopelle, Forteresse (auction estimate: $140,000 to $180,000)
    • 1912 painting by Tom Thomson, Country Landscape with Stream (Huntsville) (auction estimate: $90,000 to $120,000)
    • DEBUT – Two works by Group of Seven member Franklin Carmichael, owned by a descendent of the artist. Bracken, Lansing oil on panel (auction estimate: $60,000 to $80,000); and a Carmichael watercolour, Forest Landscape (auction estimate: $40,000 to $60,000)
    • A large-scale painting by artist Ted Harrison, who passed away in 2015, The Grecian House (auction estimate: $45,000 to $60,000)
    • Several notable works by William Kurelek including the mixed media painting, Russian Thistles Migrating (auction estimate: $60,000 to $80,000); and Candy Floss Clouds, painted the year of his death (auction estimate: $30,000 to $40,000)
    • DEBUT – A charming 1907 painting of a mother and child by J.E.H. MacDonald titled A Hill Path, High Park (auction estimate: $20,000 to $30,000). The painting is believed to have been a gift from MacDonald to Albert H. Robson, a Canadian art author, historian and former VP of the Art Gallery of Toronto (now the AGO) more than a century ago. The painting, owned by the family of Albert H. Robson, is offered for sale for the first time. 
    • Four paintings by Group of Seven member A.J. Casson including Lumber Mill, 1935 (auction estimate: $35,000 to $45,000)
    • A large-scale work from Harold Town’s highly acclaimed Tyranny of the Corner series, the Hypothesis Set (auction estimate: $20,000 to $30,000)

    To preview the full catalogue online, go to www.consignor.ca. Live previews will take place until November 21 at the Consignor Canadian Fine Art Gallery located at 326 Dundas Street West. Consignor’s Fall Auction of Important Canadian Art will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 7:00 pm at the Berkeley Church, located at 315 Queen St. E. in Toronto, ON.

    Since its inception in 2013, Consignor’s auctions have included headline-grabbing and record-breaking works including Algoma Sketch 48, a rare Lawren Harris preparatory oil sketch that debuted on the auction block at Consignor’s inaugural live auction event in May 2016 and set the record for the highest-selling Algoma sketch ($977,500) by the artist at auction. Other highlights include a 100-year-old Tom Thomson portrait (Daydreaming, sold for $172,500) and an undiscovered William Kurelek (Ukrainian Proverb, sold for $41,400, well above its estimated value). Consignor’s offering of Jack Bush’s Summer Lake broke online auction records in May 2014 for the most expensive painting by a Canadian artist to be sold at an online auction ($310,500), and its June 2014 auction saw eight artists’ records broken.

    Consignor is also holding an online December Auction of Artwork, from December 7-14, 2016. Consignor offers all-inclusive selling commissions and the lowest Buyer’s Premium in the industry. Those interested in consignment can arrange a complimentary and confidential consultation by contacting Consignor’s specialists at 1-866-931-8415 or info@cowleyabbott.ca. Consignor is currently accepting artwork for inclusion in its Spring 2017 auctions.

    Consignor Canadian Fine Art is a partnership between art auction veterans Rob Cowley, Lydia Abbott and Ryan Mayberry (Partner at Mayberry Fine Art and Founder of Consignor.ca). Cowley and Abbott became principals in the venture with Ryan Mayberry, taking Consignor.ca from its original form, as a branch of Mayberry Fine Art, to a separate company focusing on auctions of Canadian art.