Please note our offices will be closed from Friday March 29 through Monday April 1 for Easter. Local pick-ups will start on Tuesday April 2.
      
      
      
      

LOT 020

ARCA BCSFA CGP OSA P11
1897 - 1960
Canadian

Pulsing Sound
oil on board
signed and dated 1956 and on verso signed, titled and inscribed "4 Maple Ave, Toronto" / "26" / "29"
48 x 19 1/2 in, 121.9 x 49.5 cm

Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CAD

Sold for: $31,250

Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave

PROVENANCE
Roberts Gallery, Toronto
An Important Estate, Toronto

LITERATURE
Michelle Jacques et al., Jock Macdonald: Evolving Form, Vancouver Art Gallery, 2014, page 77


While living in British Columbia, Jock Macdonald had already been working with various styles of abstraction. Artist Maxwell Bates acknowledged his importance, stating: “Jock Macdonald must be regarded as a pioneer of automatic and abstract painting in Canada. He was the first artist in this country seriously and consistently to adopt the automatic process.” When Macdonald moved to Toronto in autumn of 1947, he became influenced by Abstract Expressionism. He took part in the important 1953 Abstracts at Home exhibition in the Simpsons department store, along with the artists who established Painters Eleven. He was a founding member of that group and participated in their inaugural show at Roberts Gallery in 1954.

Pulsing Sound is from this important Painters Eleven period. In physics, as sound vibrates the medium of air, it excites the molecules and causes displacement in various directions, forming waves. In tune with this idea, Macdonald’s painting explodes with fragments of black over blue and orange patches, while in counterpoint, the white ground is strongly marked with lines. Painted with heavy impasto, it is a richly textured surface. In both concept and execution, Pulsing Sound is an exciting and superlative work.


Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CAD

All prices are in Canadian Dollars


Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information posted, errors and omissions may occur. All bids are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Business. Bidders must ensure they have satisfied themselves with the condition of the Lot prior to bidding. Condition reports are available upon request.