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LOT 122

ALC BCSFA CGP FCA G7 OSA RPS TPG
1885 - 1970
Canadian

Lake Superior Sketch LXXXII
oil on board, circa 1923
signed and on verso signed, titled and inscribed "Mrs. Harcourt" and with the Doris Mills Inventory #4/77 and the artist's symbol
10 x 13 1/2 in, 25.4 x 34.3 cm

Estimate: $125,000 - $175,000 CAD

Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the Artist by a Private Collector
Sold sale of Canadian Fine Art, Joyner/Waddington's, November 28, 2006, lot 66
Private Collection, Ontario

LITERATURE
Doris Mills, L.S. Harris Inventory, 1936, Lake Superior Sketches, Group 4, catalogue #77, location noted as the Studio Building
Paul Duval, Lawren Harris: Where the Universe Sings, 2011, reproduced page 214


Lawren Harris’s first sight of Lake Superior was in 1921 after a Group of Seven trip to Algoma, and it became one of his best-known painting places. He returned there often in the 1920s. Harris produced expansive, light-filled lake vistas and more closely contained views of the country around the lake such as this. Lake Superior Sketch LXXXII is a finely tuned composition, with Harris striking two opposing diagonals across the painting in the foreground rock ledges falling downwards off to the left and the cloud formations moving upwards to the left, creating a sensation of motion across the still landscape. Harris also balances the vertical movement of the bare tree trunks that pierce through to the top of the painting with the horizontal lines in the hills. The bright fall colours in the rich gold trees shooting upwards like flames contrast with the dark tones of the hills. Created on the spot, this painting carries the freshness of the scene Harris observed, painted with an assured command of every compositional element in point and counterpoint.

There is a related canvas noted in the Doris Mills Inventory for this sketch, titled Rock and Dead Birches, Northern Painting 9.


Estimate: $125,000 - $175,000 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.