2026 Major Spring Canadian & International Art Auction Results

Our 2026 Major Spring Auction of Canadian and International Fine Art featured several notable results reflective of current market interest and continued collector demand for quality works.

Leading the auction was Lawren Harris’s Lake Superior Sketch, VI, which realized $793,750. The strongest Harris result achieved in Canada this season, the work underscores the continued appeal of the artist’s Lake Superior period and sustained demand for significant sketches from this celebrated body of work.

This season, landscapes were in particular demand. A rare early watercolour by David Milne, Heavy Forms (1913), achieved $92,250. Dating from a pivotal period in the artist’s career, the work is an important early example by one of Canada’s most influential modernists. John William Beatty’s Sunset, Haliburton, painted circa 1915, realized $18,750, an impressive result for a small-scale painting of this period. Distinguished by its luminous sky and expressive handling of colour, the work drew competitive bidding – as well as much notice at our in-person previews – and emerged as one of the auction’s most compelling paintings.

A few highlights from Quebec were also standouts. Philip Surrey’s La Plage, Île Bizard (1966) established a new auction record for the artist, achieving $56,870. The result shows the growing recognition of Surrey’s work among collectors and marks a major milestone for the market of this important Canadian painter. John Little’s Charlevoix County Hockey Game (1970) was among the auction’s top performers, realising $73,950. The result represents the artist’s strongest auction performance since 2021 and reflects continued enthusiasm for Little’s signature depictions of Quebec life and landscape. Clarence Gagnon’s Grange à la Mare, Baie St Paul, circa 1923, realized $21,250, well above its estimate. The result demonstrates the enduring appeal of strong period works by Gagnon, particularly examples that capture the charm and atmosphere of rural Quebec.

Tom Forrestall’s The Foundation (Above the Island) (1986–87) achieved $20,000, outperforming previous results. A large and ambitious work by the celebrated Maritime artist, the result continues a trend of increasing market strength for this exceptional painter.

Jack Bush’s compelling Green Diamond came with excellent provenance and a compelling story, summarized in an essay by Sarah Stanners, which can be read in full here. The painting drew competitive bidding, selling for $80,050 and demonstrating continued demand for strong examples from the artist’s mature period.

International works also performed strongly, reinforcing Waddington’s position as the leading Canadian venue for important works by European and international artists. Natalia Goncharova’s 2 Designs for Die Mär von der Heerfahrt Igors realized $27,500, nearly three times its low estimate. Featuring the work by Arthur Lüther from the epic poem “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” (Slovo o plŭku Igorievě), considered the oldest literary work of the Eastern Slavs, written at the end of the 12th century. It recounts the failed military campaign led in 1185 by Prince Igor Sviatoslavich against the Cumans of Khan Konchak.

Dutch painter Floris Arntzenius’s Spuistraat, Den Haag sold for $32,450, consistent with the artist’s established international market. The artist’s impressionistic depictions of everyday urban life continue to attract collectors to Arntzenius’s work.

One of our collectors’ favourite artists, Édouard Cortès’ Rue Royale et la Madeleine après la pluie realized $22,500. Waddington’s has long been leading the market in Canada for the artist’s work, and this intricate Parisian street scene continued that tradition.

Rudolf Ernst’s Orientalist painting, Finishing Touches, achieved $98,350. Following the success of Alberto Pasini’s Before the Mosque offered by Waddington’s in Fall 2025, the result further demonstrates sustained demand for high-quality examples of the Orientalist genre and for choice nineteenth-century European works.

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Interested in viewing all the results from our spring 2026 auctions? Please click here.

Consignment Opportunities

The consignment process for our Fall 2026 auctions is already underway. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss how you can achieve excellent results for your artworks.

Please contact us for more information on consigning with Waddington’s.