AANFM RCA
1923 - 1999
Canadian
Furieuse aurore #2
oil on canvas
on verso signed, titled and dated 1974
36 x 40 in, 91.4 x 101.6 cm
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 CAD
Sold for: $37,250
Preview at:
PROVENANCE
Robertson Galleries, Ottawa
Marlborough-Godard, Toronto
By descent to the present Private Collection, Toronto
Tumultuous and pulsating, Furieuse aurore #2 is a quintessential example of Jean McEwen's exploration of the interactions of colour. During the 1950s, McEwen moved away from Automatism and developed his own unique handling of colour and texture. Inspired by works from Colour Field painters such as Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, he would set layer upon layer of lustrous oil paint, building up to a surface of masterfully handled tonal variations and depth. This oil on canvas is no exception - balanced on each side by marbled planes of orange, maroon and black, the central composition layers gossamer-like strokes of chartreuse green onto a stormy black background. These delicate yet restless billows are reminiscent of the particles visible during an aurora borealis, as referred to in the title. With its rich medley of colour, textural effects and distinctive paint-handling technique that showcases dazzling effects of transparency, McEwen’s Furieuse aurore #2 vibrates with intensity.
The exhibition Untamed Colour: Celebrating Jean McEwen is currently showing at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and will continue there until February 2, 2020.
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 CAD
All prices are in Canadian Dollars
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