BCSFA CGP
1871 - 1945
Canadian
Totem Pole
ink on paper, circa 1924
initialed M.E.C and inscribed indistinctly by the artist and on verso inscribed "God bless the person who owns this gem of history and my favorite artist" Peter Ohler Sr. July 6, 2009
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 in, 6.3 x 8.9 cm
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CAD
Sold for: $5,938
Preview at:
PROVENANCE
Collection of Carol Dennise Williams (later Pearson), Toronto
Collection of Alma Porter, circa 1954 - 1960
By descent through the Porter family
Private Collection, Montreal
Sold sale of Canadian Art, Joyner's, May 26, 2009, lot 78
Private Collection
LITERATURE
Carole Dennise Pearson (nee Williams), Emily Carr as I Knew Her, Toronto, 1954
Maria Tippett, Emily Carr, A Biography, Markham, Ontario, 1982, photograph of Emily and Carol on page 270 and friendship discussed on page 136 - 138
This drawing is contained in a small autograph book which belonged to Carol Dennise Williams, and which also includes other entries and drawings by family and friends.
Carol, with her parents and brother, moved to Victoria from Toronto in the 1920s. Emily probably met her and her brother in 1922, when both children were summer boarders at Emily's sister's school. The two, although distant in age, were aligned with interests - both shared an admiration for animals and painting. They were so close that Emily asked Carol’s mother if she could adopt the young girl as her own. Mrs. Williams declined but did allow Carol to call Emily ‘Mom’ and they continued this maternal relationship until Carr's passing in 1945.
Alma Porter, the subsequent owner of this work, and Carol Pearson were friends, sharing a love of horses.
All prices are in Canadian Dollars
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