Fine Canadian Art Spring 2008 Live auction

Lot # 042

Alexander Young (A.Y.) Jackson
ALC CGP G7 OSA RCA RSA 1882 - 1974 Canadian

September, Georgian Bay
oil on panel circa 1920
signed and on verso signed, titled and inscribed in graphite "Box 3, $40"
8 1/2 x 10 1/2 in  21.6 x 26.7cm

Provenance:
Acquired directly from the Artist by a Private Collector, Drumheller, Alberta
By descent to the present Private Collection, Vancouver

Literature:
A.Y. Jackson, A Painter's Country, 1958, page 45
Peter Mellen, The Group of Seven, 1970, page 126

After Jackson returned from World War I, he was anxious to travel back to the locations that most inspired him. For Jackson, one of these was the region of Georgian Bay. As he records in his autobiography, Georgian Bay was "one of my happy hunting grounds for camping and fishing at all seasons." This fine sketch was likely painted circa 1920, as Jackson notes that directly after his return from the war, "it was good to get back to Georgian Bay again that summer, to go fishing and exploring."

This work is a testimony to his interest in the unique landforms and colour variations of Georgian Bay. The cool blues compliment the orange tonal variations against darker greens. This region was fundamental in shaping Jackson's admiration and reverence for nature, and as Mellen quotes Housser's observation, "He has painted Georgian Bay in all seasons and in almost every aspect...he finds in the smoothly rounded rocks, colour, rhythm, light and shadow which he never tires of exploring."

Estimate: $30,000 ~ $40,000 CAD

Sold For: $54,625.00 CAD (including buyer's premium)