Quebec City from Lévis
71.8 cms x 92.7 cms (28.25 ins x 36.5 ins)
Signed and dated 1920 and on verso signed
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "May Live Auction 2018, Toronto Live auction" held on Wed, May 30, 2018.
Lot 144
Lot 144
Estimate: CAD $50,000 - $80,000
Realised: CAD $337,250
Realised: CAD $337,250
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
Acquired directly from the Artist by Robert Lindsay (1855 - 1931), a Montreal stockbroker
By descent to the present Private Collection, Ontario
Notes:
Robert Pilot was painting a generation later than early Canadian Impressionists such as James Wilson Morrice (whose work influenced him), and he was considered the last significant artist working in this style in Canada. Pilot was invited to show in the first Group of Seven exhibition in 1920, but differed philosophically from the Group’s nationalist approach. He had a poetic nature, and his work was lyrical and romantic, particularly in exquisite scenes such as this. This superb large canvas is an exceptional example of one of Pilot’s most renowned themes – the historic buildings and fortified walls of Quebec City seen from Lévis, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. With its delicate light and rich and subtle palette, Quebec City from Lévis fully embodies Pilot’s impressionist approach. On the far shore, structures are seen through a gossamer haze, while on the near shore, the characteristic traditional Quebec houses with their dormer windows and mansard roofs emerge in clearer focus. Pilot was a superb colourist, and in this work he used both cool and warm pastel tones throughout, suffusing the scene with a golden glow that adds to the richly atmospheric effect.
Acquired directly from the Artist by Robert Lindsay (1855 - 1931), a Montreal stockbroker
By descent to the present Private Collection, Ontario
Notes:
Robert Pilot was painting a generation later than early Canadian Impressionists such as James Wilson Morrice (whose work influenced him), and he was considered the last significant artist working in this style in Canada. Pilot was invited to show in the first Group of Seven exhibition in 1920, but differed philosophically from the Group’s nationalist approach. He had a poetic nature, and his work was lyrical and romantic, particularly in exquisite scenes such as this. This superb large canvas is an exceptional example of one of Pilot’s most renowned themes – the historic buildings and fortified walls of Quebec City seen from Lévis, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. With its delicate light and rich and subtle palette, Quebec City from Lévis fully embodies Pilot’s impressionist approach. On the far shore, structures are seen through a gossamer haze, while on the near shore, the characteristic traditional Quebec houses with their dormer windows and mansard roofs emerge in clearer focus. Pilot was a superb colourist, and in this work he used both cool and warm pastel tones throughout, suffusing the scene with a golden glow that adds to the richly atmospheric effect.
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.