Totem Poles
76.8 cms x 49.5 cms (30.25 ins x 19.5 ins)
Signed and dated 1932 and on verso titled on a label
made in 1932
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "October 2012 Online auction" held on Thu, Oct 25, 2012.
Lot 228
Lot 228
Estimate: CAD $4,000 - $6,000
Realised: CAD $4,095
Realised: CAD $4,095
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
Collection of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Acquired as a gift from the above
By descent to the present Private Collection, Vancouver
Notes:
Emil Rizek was an Austrian painter who traveled widely throughout his lifetime and recorded his international adventures through painting. By the mid-1930s, he had traveled throughout Europe, Japan, South Africa, Indonesia, United States and Canada. He primarily focused on landscapes, figures, city views and scenes of everyday life.
This rare work features totem poles that stand in Vancouver's historic Stanley Park. The poles were first installed in the park in the 1920s as part of a proposal to recreate a First Nations village by the Art, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver. The three poles in this painting were from Alert Bay, and the canoe pulled up to shore in the background was Kwakiutl. This canoe had been a working vessel, transporting Kwakiutl natives to gatherings before it was abandoned and then later relocated to the First Nations village, now called Klahowya Village, in Stanley Park. Circa 1962, all the poles were shifted over to Brockton Point in Stanley Park, where more poles were added, many of which still stand today.
Notably, the center pole is Chief Wakas Pole, which was first raised in front of Chief Wakas's house in Alert Bay in the 1890s. Originally, the raven's beak opened to form a ceremonial entrance to the house. Nimpkish artist Doug Cramer, who inherited Chief Wakas's crests, carved a new replica pole in 1987 that is standing today. The original pole featured in this painting is now in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
Totem Poles is thus a work of both historic and painterly strengths. It serves as a historical illustration of beloved Stanley Park and its strong First Nations ties. Works such as this prove that the Vancouver environment greatly inspired Rizek, as the poles soar high into the expansive, clear blue sky and the North Shore mountains are strongly anchored in the background. Works from the Canadian part of Rizek's tour are rare, and we can assume that the artist had little contact with First Nations people and imagery. As a result, Rizek depicts his subjects romantically and vividly, capturing the awe-inspiring environment of Stanley Park that so many viewers can identify with.
Collection of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Acquired as a gift from the above
By descent to the present Private Collection, Vancouver
Notes:
Emil Rizek was an Austrian painter who traveled widely throughout his lifetime and recorded his international adventures through painting. By the mid-1930s, he had traveled throughout Europe, Japan, South Africa, Indonesia, United States and Canada. He primarily focused on landscapes, figures, city views and scenes of everyday life.
This rare work features totem poles that stand in Vancouver's historic Stanley Park. The poles were first installed in the park in the 1920s as part of a proposal to recreate a First Nations village by the Art, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver. The three poles in this painting were from Alert Bay, and the canoe pulled up to shore in the background was Kwakiutl. This canoe had been a working vessel, transporting Kwakiutl natives to gatherings before it was abandoned and then later relocated to the First Nations village, now called Klahowya Village, in Stanley Park. Circa 1962, all the poles were shifted over to Brockton Point in Stanley Park, where more poles were added, many of which still stand today.
Notably, the center pole is Chief Wakas Pole, which was first raised in front of Chief Wakas's house in Alert Bay in the 1890s. Originally, the raven's beak opened to form a ceremonial entrance to the house. Nimpkish artist Doug Cramer, who inherited Chief Wakas's crests, carved a new replica pole in 1987 that is standing today. The original pole featured in this painting is now in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
Totem Poles is thus a work of both historic and painterly strengths. It serves as a historical illustration of beloved Stanley Park and its strong First Nations ties. Works such as this prove that the Vancouver environment greatly inspired Rizek, as the poles soar high into the expansive, clear blue sky and the North Shore mountains are strongly anchored in the background. Works from the Canadian part of Rizek's tour are rare, and we can assume that the artist had little contact with First Nations people and imagery. As a result, Rizek depicts his subjects romantically and vividly, capturing the awe-inspiring environment of Stanley Park that so many viewers can identify with.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.