Heffel offers rare opportunity as several A.Y. Jackson works from the AGO vault head to auction
- A selection of important works by A.Y. Jackson deaccessioned from the AGO to be sold by Heffel Fine Art Auction House in 2019
- The collection on offer spans the artist's career and showcases his passion for the Canadian landscape
- The works have been strategically placed in Heffel's upcoming auctions, beginning in May 2019
TORONTO, March 28, 2019 /CNW/ - Heffel Fine Art Auction House is honoured to offer at auction a selection of paintings by Alexander Young (A.Y.) Jackson from the renowned collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Highlighted by major canvases spanning the Group of Seven artist's extensive career, the works are being deaccessioned to benefit the museum's acquisition fund, which will help diversify and broaden its collection.
A founding member of the Group of Seven, A.Y. Jackson is one of Canada's most celebrated and important artists. He is best known for his outstanding representations of the Canadian landscape, other examples of which have seen enthusiastic bidding and exceptional results at auction in recent years.
One of North America's foremost art museums, the AGO is known around the world for its notable collection of Canadian art, and specifically its extensive holdings of works by members of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. A.Y Jackson is well represented, and each of the paintings and oil sketches selected for auction at Heffel has a comparable work that will remain in the AGO collection. They have had limited public exposure and have never been offered at auction.
"We are most honoured to continue Heffel's longstanding partnership with the AGO and assist with the thoughtful divestment of these very special Jackson paintings," said David Heffel, President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. "This is a unique opportunity for passionate collectors to bring home a piece of Canadian history with outstanding museum and prior private collection provenance."
"Art collections are dynamic and require refinement over time," said Julian Cox, AGO Deputy Director and Chief Curator. "We are very fortunate to have a strong representation of A.Y. Jackson works in our collection, and will continue to have a significant number representing the breadth and fullness of his career after the deaccessioning of these works."
The works will be proudly presented across a series of Heffel's upcoming auctions beginning in May 2019. To give collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to see the works up-close, they will be available for preview prior to their respective auctions.
In accordance with the AGO's rigorous deaccessioning policy, representatives for the original donors of the works have been consulted.
Heffel has had a long history of partnerships with major public and private institutions, including Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Terra Foundation for American Art, Imperial Oil Limited and HSBC Bank Canada, among others, resulting in the successful deaccessioning of important artworks through public auction.
Upcoming Auction Highlights from the AGO Collection:
- Laurentian Hills, an exceptional winter scene canvas, dated 1932 – 1933, that was exhibited in the first retrospective of works by the Group of Seven in 1936 (est. $250,000 – 350,000).
- Red Cedar, a detailed and vibrant canvas depicting a lonely tree, a common and iconic theme in important works by the Group of Seven (est. $125,000 – 175,000).
- An impressive selection of oil sketches by Jackson spanning his career as well as the expansive Canadian landscape.
About Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Heffel has sold more Canadian art than any other auctioneer worldwide, with sales totaling more than half a billion dollars since 1978. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of fine art specialists in Canada and provides superior client service to both sellers and buyers internationally.
SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House
to schedule an interview or media viewing, or for high-resolution images, please contact: Rebecca Rykiss, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, [email protected] , 416-961-6505 ext. 323
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