Canadian Art in the Spotlight

Museum-quality masterworks by Emily Carr and Paul Kane commanded the spotlight at the Heffel Fine Art Auction House semi-annual fall sale. Both works surpassed $3 million, and led the highly-anticipated marquee auction. Remote participation from passionate bidders across the world propelled the sale total to an explosive result of $21 million, underscoring Canada’s position as a global leader in art at auction, with Heffel leading the charge. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.)

Emily Carr led the event with seven exceptional works on offer, which spanned important periods of her artistic career. The 1931 Cordova Drift attracted international interest and participation, and the painting became the second most valuable work by Carr ever sold at auction. The result was well-deserved and a reflection of the fact that this outstanding canvas has the three key elements of the most sought-after and beloved paintings by Carr: sea, sky and the haunting BC forest. “It was our esteemed honor to find new homes for so many outstanding works of art this season,” says Robert Heffel, Vice President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. “This sale was truly a labour of love from our team across the country, working with our cherished consignors, who will undoubtedly be very pleased with the results.”

The treasured canvas sold for an incredible $3,361,260 (est. $2,000,000 - 3,000,000). The work was one of seven by Carr included in the sale, and other highlights included Maud Island Totem which sold for $841,250 (est. $700,000 - 900,000) and Landscape with Trees which sold for $337,270 (est. $70,000 - 90,000).

The rare and historically important masterpiece by Paul Kane, Assiniboine Hunting Buffalo drew major interest in advance of today’s sale, and achieved $3,241,250 on the auction block (est. $2,500,000 - 3,500,000).

Alex Colville’s incredibly detailed and expressive Night Walk sold well above its estimate for an impressive sum of $901,250 (est. $400,000 - 600,000). On offer alongside the major painting were two intricate preparatory studies for the work, a rare opportunity for Colville collectors. Bidding was fast and furious for important works by members of the renowned Group of Seven. More than 20 competing bidders propelled A.J Casson’s Pic Island, Lake Superior painting to an exceptional result of $481,250 more than 10 times its presale estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.

Lawren Harris’ glowing From Sentinel Pass Above Moraine Lake, Rocky Mts. fetched $691,250 and Arthur Lismer’s outstanding Group of Seven-period Mountain and Lake reached $601,250 (est. $400,000 – 600,000 each).

The vibrant and commanding Sway #1 by Jack Bush attracted international interest in today’s sale. The work sold for $601,250, more than double its estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. A set of 20 hand-painted plates featuring landscapes by Cornelius Krieghoff found a new home, after being in the same family for more than 100 years. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors, the set sold for $85,250 (est. $40,000 - 60,000).

Spring, 1916 painted by the distinguished and mysterious Tom Thomson the year before his passing, drew heavy competition and achieved more than twice its presale estimate. The dynamic painting sold for $1,621,250 at the Heffel sale (est. $600,000 - 800,000). A number of artist records were broken in the Heffel auction, including the sale of Salt Shed Interior by Christopher Pratt for $361,250 (est. $125,000 – 175,000), June 99 by Gordon Smith for $217,250 (est. $60,000 – 80,000) and Hudson Bay Point, Lake Superior by William Armstrong for $79,250 (est. $30,000 – 50,000).

Heffel is currently accepting consignments for the spring 2022 auction season, inclusive of international works of art. The deadline for spring consignments is February 2022.

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