Sold for: $37,250

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Toronto

Peter Clapham Sheppard represented Canada at the World’s Fair in New York in 1939, and it was likely the same year that he painted this exciting scene of a sideshow at the Canadian National Exhibition. In an image bustling with action, Sheppard gives us flags, families, balloons and banners all mixed together in a riot of colour. A girl in blue turns towards us, open-mouthed and animated, perhaps in reaction to the turbaned musicians playing instruments on the stage—or to what appears to be a snake charmer on the banner behind them or an elephant and its handler nearby. Her parents each react differently to her excitement, and the trio form a humorous, charming vignette. Everywhere we see wonderful details: ladies in patterned dresses, couples and children in hats, a band in the back right with the trombonist hoisting his instrument above the crush—even a dog enjoys the event. Sheppard paints the fair from a vantage point behind an ornate structure, perhaps the edge of a stage or circus wagon, placing himself directly into the scene and thus drawing us along with him into this wonderful moment of Canadian history.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars

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