- Heffel Fine Art Auction House offered 116 exceptional artworks at a live auction in Toronto on May 29 which totalled more than $16.5 million
- Two masterpiece canvases by Jean Paul Riopelle from the Estate of Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg led the auction, and sold for $2,281,250 each
- Three important works by A.Y. Jackson, consigned from the Art Gallery of Ontario totalled $672,625
TORONTO, May 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Following its highly anticipated spring live auction in Toronto, Heffel Fine Art Auction House is delighted to share today's exceptional results. 116 extraordinary examples were offered, and showcased internationally renowned artists alongside their celebrated Canadian counterparts. Masterworks by Jean Paul Riopelle, Paul-Émile Borduas and A.Y. Jackson dominated the bidding, and drove the auction total to $16.5 million. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.)
Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg, named among the top 200 collectors in the world by ARTNews, were esteemed Canadian philanthropists and amassed an outstanding collection of Post-War and contemporary art. An honour for Heffel, ten works from the Steinberg's Estate were offered in the spring sale and sold exceptionally well. Led by Jean Paul Riopelle's outstanding 1953 masterpiece canvases Incandescence and Carnaval II, the group of works totalled $6,108,500. The phenomenal Riopelle works fetched $2,281,250 each.
Very important works by distinguished Group of Seven member A.Y. Jackson were on offer this evening, consigned by the Art Gallery of Ontario, one of North America's foremost art museums. This presented a unique opportunity for passionate collectors to bring home works with distinct Canadian history and sterling provenance. Laurentian Hills, a quintessential winter landscape topped all works sold in the Canadian, Impressionist & Modern Art session, and went for an impressive $451,250.
"To have the confidence of our consignors, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Estate of Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg and so many other important collectors, was a true honour," said Robert Heffel, Vice-President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. "It was gratifying to see the enthusiastic response of bidders and watch the works find their new homes."
Notable results from the Spring 2019 Live Auction
- Two masterpiece canvases by Jean Paul Riopelle, Carnaval II and Incandescence performed exceptionally well, with final prices of $2,281,250 each (est. $1,500,000 – 2,500,000 each). Both works were painted in 1953 and were consigned from the Estate of Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg.
- Six more works by Jean Paul Riopelle sold for strong prices, including the 1964 canvas, Sans titre for $481,250 (est. 150,000 – 250,000), the 1955 Le vol des crevettes for $481,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000) and the 1961 Sans titre for $541,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000). All eight works by Riopelle in today's sale totalled $6,730,000.
- Three important works by A.Y. Jackson, consigned by the Art Gallery of Ontario, were led by the exemplary Quebec winter scene, Laurentian Hills, which fetched an impressive $451,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000).
- Paul-Émile Borduas' black-and-white-period Sans titre, consigned from the Estate of Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg, sold for $781,250, above presale expectations of $300,000 to $500,000.
- Highly collectible canvases by the internationally renowned artist Jack Bush performed well in the Post-War & Contemporary Art sale. The commanding 1966 Across and Down went for $481,250 (est. 400,000 – 600,000), followed by Flip for $361,250 (est. $300,000 – 400,000).
- The result exceeded the presale expectation for the wonderful Bleuté by Chu Teh-Chun. Rare to the Canadian market and sought-after by collectors globally, the work went for $313,250 (est. $175,000 – 225,000).
- Significant interest in Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita's Mon modèle drove its selling price far beyond presale estimates. The 1952 canvas went for a final price of $349,250 (est. $100,000 – 150,000).
- Spirited bidding for Pierre-Auguste Renoir's 1910 oil on canvas, Paysage et maison, Cagnes secured a strong price of $217,250 (est. $100,000 – 150,000). Consignor proceeds from the sale of this work will benefit the United Way of the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
- Significant paintings by all of the original members of the Group of Seven were offered, highlighted by Lawren Harris' glowing Coldwell, Lake Superior (Lake Superior Sketch CXXXIX) , which sold for $301,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000) and A.J. Casson's beautiful Autumn Panorama, which sold for $115,250 (est. $100,000 – 150,000).
- A new record was achieved for Quebec abstractionist Claude Tousignant with his vibrant and hypnotizing tondo canvas, Sans titre. The work sold for an exceptional price of $253,250 (est. $50,000 – 70,000).
- Larry Poons' colourful large scale work, Sayronnella sold high above its estimate for $145,250, after a bidding war between several collectors participating from around the world (est. $30,000 – 50,000).
- Ivan Eyre's expressive landscape, Crystal Valley set a new record for the artist at $373,250 (est. $70,000 – $90,000).
- Heffel is currently accepting consignments for the fall 2019 auction season, inclusive of international works of art. The deadline for fall consignments is August 23, 2019.
For more information on the works included in Heffel's spring live auction, visit www.heffel.com.
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 for images and b-roll, please contact: Rebecca Rykiss, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, [email protected], 416-961-6505 ext. 323 / 647-338-6707
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