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Canadian Art

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December 10, 2020 at 2:00 pm ET

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LOT 62

Lot 62

BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.

BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.
Lot 62 Details
BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.

SEPP SIMON, 1976

oil on masonite
signed, titled and dated on the reverse
16 ins x 20 ins; 40.6 cms x 50.8 cms

Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Realised: $2,880
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

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Lot Report

Additional Images
BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.
  • BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.
  • BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.
  • BARKER FAIRLEY, R.C.A.
Provenance:

Private Collection, Toronto

Note:

The riddle of the identity of Fairley’s sitter, Sepp Simon, remains moderately unsolved. A sports stadium in Bavaria shares the same name, though who its namesake is a subject for deeper research. “Sepp” is often a diminutive for the name Joseph, which might suggest that Josef Simon (1930–2016), a German philosopher and professor of the University of Bonn, might be our elusive sitter. Fairley, in addition to his painting career, was a fiery and inspiring teacher of German literature and one of Canada’s most renowned scholars on Goethe, which might explain how the two men crossed paths.

Fairley was known for his interest in extracting the essence of his sitters, searching for an aspect rather than photographic likeness. He was quick to paint, finishing his paintings alla prima, asking subjects to pose only for a few hours. In this instance, the finished effect is assured, confident, focused and emblematic of the period in which it was painted.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

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LOT 62
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.