We are pleased to share Cowley Abbott’s Spring Live Auction catalogues, featuring Important Canadian & International Artwork (Session 1) and An Important Private Collection of Canadian Art (Session 2).
It is our privilege to continue to introduce Canadian artwork from the Important Private Collection to the auction market. Following the record-breaking success of the December 2022 first session from the collection, this next offering is another landmark sale which includes a selection of rare and remarkable historical artwork, most of which will be making its auction debut with Cowley Abbott this spring.
The first session features rare and important artwork from Canadian and international artists with masterpieces debuting at auction from cherished private, public and corporate collections.
Please join us in Toronto beginning May 8th to view these important artworks and gain insight on these masterworks ahead of the June 8th live auction at Toronto’s Globe & Mail Centre.
On the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death, we wish to commemorate the legacy of the Spanish artist, known as the founder of modern art, by presenting one of the highlights of our upcoming Spring Live Auction.
Pablo
Picasso began creating ceramic works in the late 1940s. At the time, he was
spending his summers in the Côte d’Azur, and in 1946 he visited Vallauris for
the annual pottery exhibition. The small coastal town was known for its
ceramics, and Picasso was particularly impressed by the quality of the works
from the Atelier Madoura.
He
was introduced to the owners, Suzanne and Georges Ramié, who welcomed him into
his workshop and provided him with all the tools so he could experiment in
ceramics himself. In exchange for this service, the Ramiés would produce and
sell Picasso’s work. This collaboration would span twenty-five years.
The
artist enjoyed working with clay, which he felt was a relaxing change from
painting. Picasso began with plates and bowls, then experimented with pitchers
and vases, all with creative and playful subject matter such as animals and
Greek mythological figures.
In
Visage de femme, dating to 1953, the
artist has incised a woman’s face with wavy hair in an oval platter. The clean,
fluid lines of the facial features recall Picasso’s line drawings as well as
his remarkable ability to create a big impact with a very simple design. The
elongated rectangle down the woman’s nose adds an element of Cubism to the
otherwise curvilinear portrait.
Picasso’s
experience at the Atelier Madoura was also a success on a personal level, as he
met Jacqueline Roque in 1953, who would become his second wife in 1961.
Visage de femme will make its auction debut with Cowley Abbott during the Spring Live Auction of Important Canadian and International Art on June 8th at the Globe and Mail Centre.
Pablo Picasso “Visage de femme” (A.R. 220), 1953 glazed and partially incised earthenware with coloured engobe platter 15.25 x 11.5 x 1 ins Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000
In recognition of International Women’s Month, Cowley Abbott is holding a special auction dedicated to prestigious female artists. Celebrating Women Artists is open for bidding from March 7th to 21st and includes artworks by Maud Lewis, Molly Lamb Bobak, Nora Collyer, Doris McCarthy and many, many more!
Take a look at the catalogue here: https://cowleyabbott.ca/items and make sure to visit Cowley Abbott at 326 Dundas St. West to view these artworks in-person!
Cheers to the fabulous women of Cowley Abbott! Happy International Women’s month!
