Fall Auctions Bring Solid Sales

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Another Toronto art auction season, another batch of speculation about the heights Lawren Harris will scale. And we’re not talking about the peaks with which he sought painterly – and later spiritual – communion.

This fall, the likeliest candidate was Mountains East of Maligne Lake, a mid-sized work Harris completed in 1925, just before he hit his true heights. It was offered by the Heffel auction house with a conservative estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

Some expected the work to catapult higher, given the $11.2 million paid a year ago for the much larger Mountain Forms, the sale that set a new record for the most expensive Canadian work sold at auction. But Mountains East of Maligne Lake performed at par, selling for for a shade over $3 million.

It was one of eight Harris paintings up for grabs at Heffel – Morin Island, Eclipse Sound, North Baffin Island, Arctic Painting XXXVI, 1930, sold for almost $1.3 million and Cathedral Mountain from Yoho Valley, Mountain Sketch LXXXVI at $931,250.

Meanwhile, Waddington’s recorded solid sales for Group of Seven works and Consignor sold a 1911 watercolour by Emily Carr, European Street Scene, for $276,000.

Another development was a first sale by a new venture, BYDealers.com, founded by Quebec art dealers Louis Lacerte and Yves Laroche with CEO Marc-Antoine Longpré. One highlight was Serge Lemoyne’s Le Masque, 1975. Signed on the verso by Ken Dryden, it sold for $240,000.

For more details and images, read Alberta art dealer Doug Maclean’s report below:

BYDealers.com: Montreal, Nov. 6

For years, the Canadian art community has been concerned that contemporary Canadian art does not get enough attention at auctions. A new Montreal venture is aiming to change that perception. BYDealers.com, founded by longtime art dealers Louis Lacerte and Yves Laroche with CEO Marc-Antoine Longpré, works with gallery partners, including one in Alberta, six in Ontario and 11 in Quebec. Works are either owned by the partner dealers or consigned through clients. The inaugural sale launched the fall auction season and achieved total sales of $3.4 million.

Astutely, an extensive preview in Toronto the preceding weekend was timed well for Art Toronto visitors. Although I’d seen some works previously at auctions or in galleries, I was impressed with the presentation and curation. I viewed the live sale from my office via a well-done online platform with a simple thumbnail scroll of lots. The sale, slightly marred by a late start and a few spelling mistakes, progressed well through 65 lots. The auctioneer was polite, to the point and patient with live, phone and online bids. Estimates were somewhat aggressive and I noted 18 passed lots and many sales below or on the estimate, although overall, the sale went well with some fine pieces.

A wonderful 1966 sculpture, Trirème, by Yves Trudeau fetched $30,000 (all sales figures include commissions and buyer’s premiums). It’s high time Trudeau got this well-deserved attention. Serge Lemoyne’s, Le Masque, 1975, sold for $240,000. Signed on the verso by Ken Dryden, it’s a perfect example of his work. Fernand Leduc’s, Gaze Etimine, 1955, one of my favorite works, sold at $36,000, a good deal at $5,000 below the estimate.

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Serge Lemoyne, "Le masque," 1975

Serge Lemoyne, "Le masque," 1975

acrylic on canvas, 40" × 68" ($240,000 - BYDealers.com)

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Fernand Leduc, "Gaze Etimine," 1955

Fernand Leduc, "Gaze Etimine," 1955

oil on wood panel, 12" × 17" ($36,000 - BYDealers.com)

Waddington’s: Toronto, Nov. 20

After three previews, the fresh-to-market works found by senior Canadian art specialist Linda Rodeck began to fall into place in my mind. Her strategy is to go beyond gallery and dealer consignments to pursue works from private collections. Joachim Gautier is a perfect example. Although not a household name, he often painted with his good friend A.J. Casson, and in the case of Mount Albert, circa 1940, which sold for $6,000, surpasses him in quality.

The sale had good wings early. One of my favorite pieces, Yves Gaucher’s Etude pour progression bi-ascendante, gained attention and sold well beyond my expectations at $11,400.

Doris McCarthy was represented by some good paintings and finally gained ground in value. Her Starred Ice from Twin Otter sold for $20,000, followed soon after by a gem done in 1945, Moonlight on Percé Rock, which sold at $8,750. McCarthy’s independence shows – it’s not the tourist view painted by so many, but a long-distance nocturne in grey and black. One more nod to McCarthy: Storm Clouds of Keel, 1999, a large, beautifully executed painting based on her travels in Ireland, sold for $36,000.

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Doris McCarthy, "Starred Ice from Twin Otter," no date

Doris McCarthy, "Starred Ice from Twin Otter," no date

oil on canvas, 24" x 30" ($20,000 - Waddington's)

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Doris McCarthy, "Moonlight on Percé Rock," 1945

Doris McCarthy, "Moonlight on Percé Rock," 1945

oil on panel, 11.5" x 13.5" ($8,750 - Waddington's)

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Doris McCarthy, "Storm Clouds of Keel," 1999

Doris McCarthy, "Storm Clouds of Keel," 1999

oil on canvas, 36" x 48" ($36,000 - Waddington's)

There were solid results throughout the sale for Group of Seven members Casson, A.Y. Jackson, Edwin Holgate and J.E.H. MacDonald. The latter’s tiny jewel, Georgian Bay, sold for $45,600. Randolph Hewton, the founder of the Beaver Hall Group, was represented by two absolute gems, including Saint-Joseph de Lévis, which sold at $21,600. Although the pace slowed in the sale’s latter half, few lots were passed, and overall values were within reach for works one rarely sees.

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J.E.H. MacDonald, "Georgian Bay," circa 1914-1915

J.E.H. MacDonald, "Georgian Bay," circa 1914-1915

oil on panel, 4" x 6" ($45,600 - Waddington's)

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Randolph Hewton, "Saint-Joseph de Lévis," no date

Randolph Hewton, "Saint-Joseph de Lévis," no date

oil on canvas, 24" x 29" ($21,600 - Waddington's)

Heffel: Toronto, Nov. 22

A glowing media release was circulated by Heffel after its sale, and the big-ticket news was picked up by media outlets, so I’ll confine my comments to works that interested me.

B.C. Binning’s Gay Regatta with Purple Sun, 1954, was a pleasant surprise. Light, lively and, considering the time, highly adventurous, it sold for a record $169,250.

Two private collectors from Calgary, Michael and Elizabeth Brain, who bought abstract art with a passion, consigned seven works. One by Rita Letendre, Subterranean, sold for $58,250. Large and thickly textured with adventurous color, the attention was well deserved.

Jack Bush, represented by three paintings, continues to be pursued. The best, Winged Totem, sold for $601,250.

American painter Milton Avery was represented by four paintings and caught some phone bids and reasonable interest from the room. His wonderful Beach Birds, 1953, sold well at $31,250. The foray beyond the Canadian border is interesting and relatively successful for Heffel. Josef Albers, of the Bauhaus School, is rarely seen at auction in Canada and represented the sale of the night. His Homage to the Square series from the 1960s was shown prominently with Mira Godard in Toronto and Montreal. Study for Homage to the Square: New Garland, 1963, a good example, sold for $337,250 in the room against a bank of telephone bidders. Recently, at the Armory fair in New York, I saw a good painting the same size from the same period, priced at US$160,000. Something has changed.

Emily Carr’s Indian Encampment, Vancouver, 1908-1909, a rare watercolour with direct and fresh provenance, reached $229,250 with active phone and live bids. J.W. Morrice, La petite plage de St-Malo, sailed away at $481,250. Of course, more of the tiny sketches done with his dazzling brush are now on view at the National Gallery of Canada.

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Emily Carr, "Indian Encampment, Vancouver," circa 1908-1909

Emily Carr, "Indian Encampment, Vancouver," circa 1908-1909

watercolour on paper, 10" x 14" ($229,250 - Heffel)

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J.W. Morrice, "La petite plage de St-Malo," circa 1899-1901

J.W. Morrice, "La petite plage de St-Malo," circa 1899-1901

oil on panel, 7" x 10" ($481,250 - Heffel)

I was intrigued to see a major Casson, Old Lumber Village, circa 1958, on display next to a Lawren Harris by the podium. It sold well at $361,250. Casson’s works from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s deserve attention. He breaks free from the earlier Group of Seven period, and a modernist abstract vision shows up frequently.

And, of course, there is Harris. His Morin Island, Eclipse Sound, North Baffin Island, Arctic Painting XXXVI, 1930, was my pick. His rare Arctic sketches can be stellar – and this was. It sold for $1.3 million, a strong value considering it was bought at Heffel in 2006.

Finally, a little gem by Jackson, Cowley, caught my eye. It represents a time far past in small-town Alberta, but is a lively landscape with people. The life of the piece is a reason to buy sketches over larger studio paintings. It sold for $25,000.

The night brought some surprises and, as usual, attendance was fine. The room was calm, considering the prices. Certainly, the market for some Canadian art is very positive.

Consignor Canadian Fine Art: Toronto, Nov. 23

The Gardiner Museum has become a good home for the Consignor sale and the room was filled to capacity. It began with Robert Cowley’s snappy auctioneering as he quickly hammered down a wonderful William Kurelek at $29,900. I saw the lone crow caught in a late-season blizzard in Arrived Too Early, 1974, as a representation of Kurelek himself weathering depression.

The sale progressed well with some lots selling below estimate, but within reserve. Michael Snow’s wonderful 1958 work, Off Minor (the title refers to Snow’s love of jazz) sold for $57,500.

It did not take long for a record Harris sale. Lake Superior (I.D. 463), a rare and important drawing, sold at almost $161,000. It was the best Harris drawing at the fall sales. Carr’s 1911 watercolour, European Street Scene, consigned from a Calgary collector, sold with intense bidding at $276,000. I believe it was driven in part by her sales the previous evening at Heffel. Between these two achievements was a Harris painting, Rear of Houses, Frances Street, Toronto, 1910-1912, which failed to find a bidder at $140,000. Apparently, the painting was judged on its own merits and the Harris name alone wasn't sufficient.

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Lawren Harris, "Lake Superior (I.D. 463)," 1925

Lawren Harris, "Lake Superior (I.D. 463)," 1925

pencil sketch, 8.5" x 10.8" ($161,000 - Consignor)

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Emily Carr, "European Street Scene," 1911

Emily Carr, "European Street Scene," 1911

watercolour, 15" x 10.8" ($276,000 - Consignor)

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Lawren Harris, "Rear of Houses, Frances Street," 1910-1912

Lawren Harris, "Rear of Houses, Frances Street," 1910-1912

oil on board, 17" x 12" (Unsold - Consignor)

The room was lively with bids and ongoing interest for Maud Lewis, represented by seven lots that sold well beyond estimates. William Perehudoff achieved active bids for AC-78-20 and Arcturus #32, which sold for $27,600 and $14,950, respectively. I’m happy to see this great abstract painter gaining ground.

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William Perehudoff, "Arcturus #32," 1973

William Perehudoff, "Arcturus #32," 1973

acrylic on canvas, 36" x 28" ($14,950 - Consignor)

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William Perehudoff, "AC-78-20," 1978

William Perehudoff, "AC-78-20," 1978

acrylic on canvas, 24.8" x 54" ($27,600 - Consignor)

Waddington’s: Inuit Art, Toronto, Nov. 21

I haven’t commented on Indigenous sales in the past, but they were noteworthy this fall. If one has fine early Indigenous works, the market is strong. 

Waddington’s Inuit preview was on view during the Canadian Fine Art exhibit, where it stood the test of quality and comparison. Some successful results included Johnny Inukpuk’s Woman Cleaning a Fish, circa 1953, at $21,600, and Osuitok Ipeelee’s, Caribou on Hind Legs, circa 1985, at $28,800. This latter was a stunning piece with imaginative beauty. Also worth noting was an incredible stonecut print by Josephine Pootoogook, Joyfully I See Ten Caribou, 1959, which sold for $12,000.

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Josephie Pootoogook, "Joyfully I See Ten Caribou," 1959

Josephie Pootoogook, "Joyfully I See Ten Caribou," 1959

stonecut, 11.6" x 16.3" ($12,000 - Waddington's)

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Johnny Inukpuk, "Woman Cleaning a Fish," circa 1953

Johnny Inukpuk, "Woman Cleaning a Fish," circa 1953

stone and ivory, 6" x 6.5" x 9" ($21,600 - Waddington's)

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Osuitok Ipeelee, "Caribou on Hind Legs," circa 1985

Osuitok Ipeelee, "Caribou on Hind Legs," circa 1985

stone and antler, signed in syllabics, 20" x 6" x 20" ($28,800 - Waddington's)

Walker’s: Inuit and Indigenous Art, Ottawa, Nov. 22

Walker’s had fine early drawings throughout the sale, including Cape Dorset artist Niviaqsi’s exceptional piece, The Family Hunting, 1957-1958, which sold at $17,110. An amazing tiny ivory, Probably Punuk Culture, Bering Sea 500-1200 A.D., sold for $35,400. Norval Morrisseau was represented by four incredible paintings, done in his early days in Red Lake, Ont. His Shaman, from the mid-1960s, sold for $29,500. It’s important to note his early works with fine provenance are, indeed, the real thing.

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Norval Morrisseau, "Anishnaabe, Shaman and Snakes," mid-1960s

Norval Morrisseau, "Anishnaabe, Shaman and Snakes," mid-1960s

acrylic on brown kraft paper, 46.5" x 32" ($29,500 - Walker's)

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Niviaqsi (Niviaksiak), "The Family Hunting," circa 1957-1958

Niviaqsi (Niviaksiak), "The Family Hunting," circa 1957-1958

graphite drawing on Cerlox-bound notepad paper, 11" x 8.5" ($17,110 - Walker's)

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Probably Panuk culture, Bering Sea, Alaska, "Human Head," 500-1200 AD

Probably Panuk culture, Bering Sea, Alaska, "Human Head," 500-1200 AD

ivory, 2.5" x 1.8" x 1.5" ($35,400 - Walker's)

Hodgins: Calgary, Nov. 27

The new direction of Hodgins under Kevin King’s ownership is interesting to watch. The live auction was reduced to 115 lots, a comfortable number for an evening sale. King, as auctioneer, with his wife, Kyra, managing phone bids and his online bidding staff, ran the sale with confidence. Overall, it was a successful sale, with only six lots passed.

The results for prominent Western artists Ted Godwin, Illingworth Kerr, H.G. Glyde and W.J. Phillips were solid. A fine watercolour by Phillips, Falls Near the Ice Fields, 1950, sold for $18,400, a fine result for an artist whose watercolours are often undervalued. Active phone and online bidders bought important paintings from historical Canadian artists. It’s important that dealers and collectors pay attention to markets beyond their own cities.

Mary Pratt’s oil painting Two Stone Birds in the Spring, 2002, sold for $25,875. Other standouts at preview were three major Polish paintings, notably Josef Von Brandt’s Return from The Horse Market, circa 1884, an active and brilliant work that sold for $253,000 to a phone bidder. All three paintings sold.

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Mary Pratt, "Two Stone Birds in the Spring," 2002

Mary Pratt, "Two Stone Birds in the Spring," 2002

oil on masonite, 16" x 18" ($25,875 - Hodgins)

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Josef Von Brandt, "Return from the Horse Market," circa 1884

Josef Von Brandt, "Return from the Horse Market," circa 1884

oil on canvas, 35.5" x 63.8" ($253,000 -Hodgins)

Images: Courtesy of BYDealers.com, Waddington's, Heffel, Consignor, Walker's and Hodgins.