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LOT 073

AANFM CAS PY QMG
1910 - 2007
Canadian

Forêt sans nom
oil on canvas
signed and dated 1962 and on verso titled
25 1/2 x 32 in, 64.8 x 81.3 cm

Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000 CAD

Sold for: $11,700

Preview at: Heffel Vancouver

PROVENANCE
Galerie Dresdnere, Montreal
Private Collection, Toronto

LITERATURE
Guy Robert, Bellefleur: The Fervour of the Quest, 1988, page 51, quoting C. Jasmin in La Presse and L. Lamy in Le Devoir from May 1962


Forêt sans nom was painted in 1962, a truly important year for Léon Bellefleur, one in which his time spent in France was broken up by intermittent trips to and from Montreal. It was in 1962 that Galerie Arditti held an exhibition of French Canadian painters in Paris. This was a fortunate opportunity for Bellefleur, because his paintings were exhibited alongside Paul-Émile Borduas, Jean-Paul Riopelle and younger contemporaries such as Marcelle Ferron. This show was groundbreaking because it paved the way for a wider Canadian reception upon his return. Later this same year, Simon Dresdnere would go on to show 21 works by Bellefleur in Montreal, and the exhibition received critical acclaim. Guy Robert quoted critics who described the works as “multiple reflections of his blazing colours” and “inspired by the expressionist and romantic lyricism of an artist with dazzling energy, in the grip of a sort of creative panic.” This painting was created with dynamic palette-knife strokes that draw the viewer into its circular movement - a visually stunning work.


Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000 CAD

All prices are in Canadian Dollars


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