The Canada Auction

June 0409, 2022
Auction begins to close at 8:00 pm ET

Online Auction
LOT 38

Lot 38

JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)

JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)
Lot 38 Details
JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)

SAND LAKE, ALGOMA

oil on board
initialed; initialed and titled on the reverse
8.75 ins x 10.5 ins; 22.2 cms x 26.7 cms

Estimate $55,000-$75,000

Realised: $54,000
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)
  • JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)
  • JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)
  • JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD, O.S.A., R.C.A. (1873-1932)
Provenance:

Private collection, Toronto, ON

Note:

When the personalities of the Group of Seven’s members are discussed, J.E.H. MacDonald’s is commonly described in terms of his contemplativeness, poetry and quietude. As the oldest member and the only one of a catalytic trio of Lawren S. Harris and A.Y. Jackson who needed to work to support a family, he also carried a maturity with his approach, purpose, and technique that set him apart then and now.

This understated view across Sand Lake in Ontario’s Algoma region, about 600 kilometres northwest of Toronto requires time from its viewer. MacDonald’s light is refracted through a twilight haze that also appears in his October Evening, Algoma (1921) in the Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the AGO’s own The Lake, October Evening (1922). The light activates the viewer’s eyes differently in each of the paintings, and on looking at Sand Lake, Algoma, one needs to let their eyes adjust to the painting. Meeting the painting on its terms and not demanding instant gratification amplifies MacDonald’s accentuated visual poetry. As in rare atmospheric moments like this, the light nearly becomes palpable as something we see and in which we are enveloped.

MacDonald’s greatness as a painter of nuance and tonal subtlety has been overshadowed by the bold compositions of some of his Group of Seven colleagues and by his own masterworks such as Tangled Garden (1916) in the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario and Falls, Montreal River (1920) in the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario. Truly, MacDonald can neither be seen nor understood without understanding paintings like Sand Lake, Algoma that speak softly, surely and reveal themselves like the changing light of eventide.

CONDITION DETAILS

Possible areas of consolidation in the sky and at the bottom left corner. Overall very good condition.

Please contact the specialist for further condition information.

LOT 38
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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.