Alfred Joseph Casson

This classic Canadian scene was used by McLean’s magazine in 1947 for their September 15^th cover — and as our cover lot for the Fall 2013 major fall sale of Important Canadian Art.

Leaf-burning is signed twice, probably first to the right and then to the left in order that the signature could be more easily seen by the magazine buying public; by 1947 Casson’s reputation as one of Canada’s top artists was well-established.  The painting may also have had the signature added by Casson as a kind of insurance policy against over aggressive cropping during production; note that the signature at the left is slightly higher than the one on the right.

Anecdotal information like this painting’s original purpose, the double signature, its rediscovery almost 70 years after its execution, as well as the virtuoso handling of autumn colours and expert design drove enormous interest in this lot.

Against an estimate of $70,000 – 90,000, Leaf-Burning smoked our pre-sale expectation, ultimately selling for $141,600.