Canadian Fine Art Auction

May 28, 2018

LOT 125

Lot 125

WILLIAM HADD MCELCHERAN, R.C.A.

WILLIAM HADD MCELCHERAN, R.C.A.
Lot 125 Details
WILLIAM HADD MCELCHERAN, R.C.A.

WALKING BUSINESSMAN AND THREE ARCHES

terracotta
initialed, dated ‘81 and inscribed “AP”
28.5 ins x 35.5 ins x 3.7 ins; 73.7 cms x 90.2 cms x 9.5 cms

Estimate $6,000-$8,000

Realised: $6,000
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

Private Collection, Toronto

Note:

William McElcheran (1927-1999) is well-known for his portly figures who appear numerously as single and group figures each bearing near identical likenesses.

Of relevance to this lot is McElcheran’s celebrated project The Conversation (1981), sited at Stephen Avenue, in downtown Calgary. It is located directly in front of The Hudson’s Bay department store. That building has a series of evenly-spaced columns supporting three-arches that define a loggia. Our businessman paces through the covered colonnade, partly obscured by a pillar. A classical Roman warrior statue points his way. Does it humorously quote a side reference to the forms of the annunciation pictures of Fra Angelico?

Fashioned in the time-honoured material of terracotta Walking Businessman and Three Arches is a handsome traditional bas-relief, a conflation of the modern and ancient world.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 125
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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.