Sold for: $2,750

PROVENANCE
Estate of the Artist
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, November 14, 2002, lot 158
Private Collection, USA
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, November 22, 2012, lot 175
Private Collection, British Columbia

Donald Flather was born in London, England and emigrated with his parents to Shuswap Lake in British Columbia, where they lived on an orchard. In his twenties, Flather moved to Vancouver, studying at the University of British Columbia. He taught biology and science at various Vancouver high schools, ultimately rising to vice-principal of King George High School. Throughout his time as an educator, he painted striking landscape works of British Columbia, but also explored across the country through the Northwest Territories, Baffin Island, the Prairies, Ontario and the Maritimes. He took many photographs on his travels, which he would refer to while in the studio, as with this iconic Arctic image.

He was a founding member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, serving as its national treasurer and exhibiting in their shows. Through this organization he came into contact with fellow founder Lawren Harris, who had arrived in Vancouver in 1940. Harris was well known for his Arctic works, and his influence can be seen in Icebergs II with its bold composition, unusual cloud formations, rich blue palette and brilliant light.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars