Please note our offices will be closed from Friday March 29 through Monday April 1 for Easter. Local pick-ups will start on Tuesday April 2.

LOT 150

ARCA G7 OSA
1881 - 1969
Canadian

Head Study (Erica)
charcoal, chalk pastel and lipstick on paper, 1940
signed and with the artist's thumbprint
12 x 9 in, 30.5 x 22.9 cm

Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 CAD

Sold for: $12,870

Preview at: Heffel Vancouver

PROVENANCE
A gift from the Artist to the current owner's mother, who is the subject of this work
By descent to the present Private Collection, Kelowna

LITERATURE
Christopher Varley, F.H. Varley: A Centennial Exhibition, Edmonton Art Gallery, 1981, titled as Head Study, page 146, reproduced page 148
Peter Varley, Frederick H. Varley, 1983, the 1942 related canvas entitled Erica in the collection of Trinity College, Toronto, reproduced page 171
Katerina Atanassova, F.H. Varley: Portraits into the Light, Varley Art Gallery, 2007, titled as Head Study, reproduced page 93 and listed page 115 and the 1942 related canvas entitled Erica in the collection of Trinity College, Toronto, reproduced plate 48, unpaginated

EXHIBITED
Edmonton Art Gallery, F.H. Varley: A Centennial Exhibition, 1981 - 1982, traveling to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, catalogue #166
Varley Art Gallery, Markham, F.H. Varley: Portraits into the Light, 2007 - 2008, traveling to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, the Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, the Kelowna Art Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, Ottawa, catalogue #64


Christopher Varley writes that Frederick Varley’s portrait drawings of women which he executed at Trenton in 1940 “are among his finest tributes to female sensuality and beauty.” Varley borrowed model Erica’s lipstick to match the colour of her lips in this compelling portrait, which possesses the kind of presence seen in Varley’s portraits of Vera. This extraordinary study was the basis for the 1942 oil entitled Erica, in the collection of Trinity College, University of Toronto.


Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000 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.