Still Life on a Green Tablecloth
81.3 cms x 121.9 cms (32 ins x 48 ins)
Signed
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "Fine Canadian Art Fall 2005 Live auction" held on Thu, Nov 24, 2005.
Lot 087
Lot 087
Estimate: CAD $20,000 - $25,000
Realised: CAD $69,000
Realised: CAD $69,000
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
The Reader's Digest Collection
Literature:
Desmond Pacey, "The Goodridge Roberts Exhibition at the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery April 1 - 17, 1960," Canadian Art 17, July 1960, page 246
Notes:
Roberts studied still life painting with Max Weber at New York's Art Students League in 1926 and 1927, and it remained important subject matter throughout his life. His still lifes are known for their random yet graceful placement of everyday objects in quiet, intimate interiors that reflect the simple life that Roberts and his wife led in Montreal. Desmond Pacey wrote: "In apparently random collections of objects, Roberts has managed to find a formality, an elegance, that somehow transfigures them. In fact one begins to wonder whether Roberts' real genius, his own particular vision, does not express itself more fully and naturally in these still lifes than in his more generally valued landscapes." In this richly coloured painting, Roberts uses a favourite device of tilting the tabletop up to make the perspective more interesting. The book left open reflects Roberts's interest in literature - he wrote poetry throughout his life, which no doubt contributed to his visual sensibility. The earthy olive background makes the jewel-bright colours of the objects and tablecloth even more brilliant, and the expressionistic brush-strokes animate the still composition.
The Reader's Digest Collection
Literature:
Desmond Pacey, "The Goodridge Roberts Exhibition at the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery April 1 - 17, 1960," Canadian Art 17, July 1960, page 246
Notes:
Roberts studied still life painting with Max Weber at New York's Art Students League in 1926 and 1927, and it remained important subject matter throughout his life. His still lifes are known for their random yet graceful placement of everyday objects in quiet, intimate interiors that reflect the simple life that Roberts and his wife led in Montreal. Desmond Pacey wrote: "In apparently random collections of objects, Roberts has managed to find a formality, an elegance, that somehow transfigures them. In fact one begins to wonder whether Roberts' real genius, his own particular vision, does not express itself more fully and naturally in these still lifes than in his more generally valued landscapes." In this richly coloured painting, Roberts uses a favourite device of tilting the tabletop up to make the perspective more interesting. The book left open reflects Roberts's interest in literature - he wrote poetry throughout his life, which no doubt contributed to his visual sensibility. The earthy olive background makes the jewel-bright colours of the objects and tablecloth even more brilliant, and the expressionistic brush-strokes animate the still composition.
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.