- More than 100 masterpieces will be offered at Heffel's live auction in Toronto on May 29, 2019, estimated to total $15 million to $23 million
- A Henri Matisse canvas, the first to come to market in Canada, expected to fetch upwards of $3.8 million
- Museum-quality Post-War & Contemporary artworks by Jean Paul Riopelle, Jack Bush and Fernando Botero
- Important works by A.Y. Jackson consigned by the Art Gallery of Ontario
TORONTO, April 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Heffel Fine Art Auction House, leader in the expanding global art market, will present more than 100 outstanding works of art in its anticipated spring auction on May 29, 2019, in Toronto. Featuring museum-quality masterworks by Henri Matisse, Jean Paul Riopelle, Lawren Harris and many others, the collection is expected to total between $15 million and $23 million and will undoubtedly draw collectors and enthusiasts from near and far. Rare-to-the-market treasures from around the world demonstrate the diversification of the global art market and the continued expansion of visual arts in Canada.
(All prices are in Canadian dollars and are conservative estimates.)
The anticipated headliner of the upcoming auction is a painting by Henri Matisse, one of the most prominent figures of 20th Century Modernism, whose iconic works crown the collections of the world's most famous museums. A stunning example from Matisse's time in Nice, painted in 1919, Femme assise sur un balcon is the first major oil on canvas by the legendary artist offered at auction in Canada, representing a milestone for the Canadian market. The work bears illustrious provenance, as it has remained in the artist's family for generations, passed down through his son Pierre and eventually to his grandson Pierre-Nöel.
A number of works from the Estate of Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg are featured in the auction, among the best examples of Post-War & Contemporary Art on offer globally. Included in a list of the top 200 collectors in the world by ARTnews, the late couple had extraordinary taste and a profound passion for art that is mirrored in these works—and in their collection as a whole. Two exceptional examples by Jean Paul Riopelle lead the grouping; they will be offered alongside works by Paul-Émile Borduas, Guido Molinari and others. The Steinbergs were remarkable human beings, renowned across Canada for their contributions to the community, their leadership and their philanthropy. It is a true honour for Heffel to offer works from their collection.
"Heffel's international offering this spring marks an important milestone in the growth of our firm and signifies the maturity of the art market in Canada," said David Heffel, President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. "The strength of the masterpieces on offer shows an increased prominence of our artists and collectors, and positions Heffel as a leader among the top participants in the global art market."
Highlights from the Heffel Spring 2019 Auction
- Henri Matisse, one of the most important artists of all time, leads Heffel's spring auction with Femme assise sur un balcon. The 1919 work is the first major canvas by Matisse offered at auction in Canada (est. $3,800,000 – 5,800,000).
- Ten magnificent works from the Estate of Blema and H. Arnold Steinberg, revered Canadian philanthropists, are led by two museum-quality masterpieces by Jean Paul Riopelle, Incandescence and Carnaval II (each est. $1,500,000 – 2,500,000), and an untitled canvas from Paul-Émile Borduas's sought-after black and white period (est. $300,000 – 500,000).
- Consigned from the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario are three special works by A.Y. Jackson, including the major canvases Laurentian Hills (est. $250,000 – 350,000) and Red Cedar (est. $125,000 – 175,000). The works present an opportunity for collectors to bring home a piece of Canadian history with significant museum and prior private collection provenance.
- Works by Jack Bush have seen increased international interest and market activity in recent years, including Heffel's record-breaking sale of Strawberry in 2018. Leading three works on offer by the renowned Colour Field painter is Across and Down (est. $400,000 – 600,000), a large-scale canvas that represented Canada at the IX Bienal de São Paulo in 1967.
- Lawren Harris shines this season with Coldwell, Lake Superior (Lake Superior Sketch CXXXIX) (est. $250,000 – 350,000), the Group of Seven period work consigned by the Women's Art Association of Canada, as well as an energetic abstract canvas titled LSH #26 (est. $100,000 – 150,000), recently included in the touring exhibition Higher States: Lawren Harris and His American Contemporaries.
- The Post-War offering features excellent examples by many distinguished artists from outside of Canada. Among the highlights are Fernando Botero's Girl Reading Her Diary (est. $300,000 – 500,000), Chu Teh-Chun's Bleuté (est. $175,000 – 225,000) and Asger Jorn's Promenade des amoureux (est. $250,000 – 350,000).
- Another first for the Canadian art market is a small but powerful canvas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Paysage et maison, Cagnes was painted at Renoir's family home in the picturesque French Riviera (est. $100,000 – 150,000). Consignor proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit the United Way of the Lower Mainland, Vancouver.
- Six more Jean Paul Riopelle canvases round out an extensive group of works by the Automatist painter, each from a coveted period in his career. Riopelle's work was recently on view in the international exhibition Mitchell/Riopelle: Nothing in Moderation, proudly supported by Heffel, presented at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Art Gallery of Ontario and Fonds Hélène et Édouard Leclerc in Landerneau, France.
- Emily Carr's paintings are rare to the market and continue to fetch impressive results at auction. Telegraph Bay and Stump in Forest are both quintessential, dynamic works on paper that epitomize Carr's love for the British Columbia landscape (est. $250,000 – 350,000 and $80,000 – 100,000, respectively).
Heffel Spring 2019 Auction Schedule
To give interested buyers from across Canada an opportunity to view these works, the collection will be previewed in four cities leading up to the live auction:
- Calgary: Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14, 11 am – 6 pm, Heffel Gallery (888 4th Avenue SW, Unit 609)
- Vancouver: Saturday, May 4 to Tuesday, May 7, 11 am – 6 pm, Heffel Gallery (2247 Granville Street)
- Montreal: Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18, 11 am – 6 pm, Galerie Heffel (1840 rue Sherbrooke Ouest)
- Toronto: Saturday, May 25 to Tuesday, May 28, 10 am – 6 pm and Wednesday, May 29, 10 am – noon, Design Exchange (Exhibition Hall, 234 Bay Street)
The two-session live auction will take place on Wednesday, May 29 at Design Exchange (The Historic Trading Floor, 234 Bay Street, Toronto):
- 4:00 pm ET — Post-War & Contemporary Art
- 7:00 pm ET — Canadian, Impressionist & Modern Art
For details on the previews and live auction, and to access the online catalogues, please 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 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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