Canadian Fine Art Auction

November 21, 2016

LOT 102

Lot 102

RAYMOND JOHN MEAD

RAYMOND JOHN MEAD
Lot 102 Details
RAYMOND JOHN MEAD

UNTITLED

watercolour
signed and dated ‘52
22 ins x 29.75 ins; 54.6 cms x 72.4 cms

Estimate $10,000-$15,000

Realised: $11,400
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
RAYMOND JOHN MEAD
  • RAYMOND JOHN MEAD
  • RAYMOND JOHN MEAD
  • RAYMOND JOHN MEAD
Provenance:

Private Collection, Ontario
Private Collection, British Columbia (by descent)

Literature:

Joan Murray, Ray Mead: The Papers (catalogue), The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, 1988, page 11-12.

Note:

The body of works on paper to which this work relates is a crucial record of Mead's experimentation. In such works Mead plays with media and its particular effects, with drawing, shape and colour, all with no real pre-conceived notions. Murray refers to the paper works as a "laboratory-like setting for reconstructing the development of one of Canada's major Abstract Expressionists during his formative years."

The imagery in this untitled work is ambiguous or, like other works from the period, not explicit. Ray Mead used such works on paper to explore. He did not necessarily view these works as preliminary to a canvas, rather Joan Murray contends that these pictures "are complete works in themselves. Even so," she continues "(Mead) occasionally notices, as much as ten years later, images from his drawings that have flowered into the paintings."  

Mead trained at the famous Slade School in London before immigrating to Canada. He settled in Hamilton in 1945 where he would meet Hortense Gordon. He became good friends with Alexandra Luke and participated in the abstract painting show she organized in Oshawa prior to the Abstracts at Home exhibit where the idea for the collective first took hold (see lot 100).

CONDITION DETAILS

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LOT 102
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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.