Lot 147
Archive Related to William Arthur Deacon including a Portrait by John Wycliffe Lowes Forster, O.S.A., A.R.C.A. (1850-1938)
Lot 147 Details
Archive Related to William Arthur Deacon including a Portrait by John Wycliffe Lowes Forster, O.S.A., A.R.C.A. (1850-1938), Canadian
PORTRAIT OF W.A. DEACON AND ARCHIVE
the portrait an oil on canvas, signed JWL Forster lower left, in contemporary giltwood frame, canvas inscribed verso Presented to W.A. Deacon by his Friend J.W.L. Forster, 1935, offered together with a large silver academic achievement medal to Deacon from The Eastern Townships Bank on behalf of Stanstead Wesleyan College, a watercolour of Deacon surrounded by his Arts and Letters Club associates (see note), a full length graphite sketch, etc., and 17 volumes (including duplicates) by the author
36 x 30.75 in — 91.4 x 78.1 cm
3 oz. — 93 grams
Estimate $400-$600
Additional Images
Provenance:
Estate of William Arthur Deacon, Toronto, thence by descent through the family
Note:
William Arthur Deacon (1890–1977) was a foundational figure in the development of twentieth-century Canadian literature, recognised as the nation’s first full-time professional literary critic, book reviewer and an influential cultural nationalist. Initially trained in law at the University of Manitoba, Deacon abandoned his legal career in 1922 to pursue literary journalism. Over the subsequent four decades, he served as a central arbiter of taste through critical editorial positions at Saturday Night, The Mail and Empire, and The Globe and Mail.
The smaller Canadian School watercolour showing Deacon himself likely depicts other members of The Arts and Letters Club, perhaps the Confederation Poets including Charles GD Roberts, Bliss Carman, Ernest Thompson Seaton and Duncan Campbell.