Waddington's

Joyner’s Canadian Art Auction, 1st Session

May 27, 2008

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LOT 51

Lot 51

LUCIUS RICHARD O'BRIEN, O.S.A., P.R.C.A.

LUCIUS RICHARD O'BRIEN, O.S.A., P.R.C.A.
Lot 51 Details
LUCIUS RICHARD O'BRIEN, O.S.A., P.R.C.A.

MT. INTCHEKAI, HOWE SOUND, JULY 1888

watercolour
signed, titled and dated, minor foxing at upper left
18 3/4 ins x 27 3/4 ins; 46.9 cms x 69.4 cms

Estimate $10,000-$12,000

Realised: $32,200
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

More Details Below   ↓

Lot Report

Literature:

Dennis Reid, Lucius R. O’Brien: Visions of Victorian Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 1990, pages 85-86 and page 171, fig.69, illustrated, for a similar work entitled Squamish, Mount Intchekai, 1888.

Note:

O’Brien left for the West on June 1, 1888, carrying his trusty sketchbook for the third time. By June 16 he was in Vancouver en route for Howe Sound, the first major indentation in the coast north of Burrard Inlet, Vancouver’s harbour. Reid writes that O’Brien remained in Howe Sound, exploring, with the help of two Indian guides until at least August 13. In a letter written by the artist at the end of July, O’Brien writes “...Howe Sound...is over twenty miles deep, irregular in outline...and walled by mountains rising steeply from the water...One in particular, called by the Indians “Intchekai”, cannot be less than ten thousand feet high...This mountain is seldom seen, the valley being constantly filled with clouds, and its appearance one lovely afternoon, at a distance of nearly forty miles, took me entirely by surprise...”

CONDITION DETAILS

-the watercolour is laid down on card
-there are four tiny brown marks in a cluster on the left side of the work (in the sky) - visible in the image of the work (I have also attached an image of the work)
-there are three tiny brown marks (foxing) at upper left edge of work (under the frame) - image is attached
-a broken vertical line is present on the right side of the work, approximately 6 ins in height - an image is attached
-a horizontal bar / crease is present across the work slightly below the horizon - this mark is not visible under black light
-no other issues are visible under black light
laid down on card; 4 tiny burn marks together in cluster on left side of sky; 3 tiny brown marks (foxing) at upper left edge; broken vertical line visible- 6" in length; horizontal bar across- just below horizon, could be a restored tear, not visible under black light, could be "Blocker" present; no issues under black light

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LOT 51
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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.