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Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario has a new Group of Seven day: Why these artists matter, even if you aren't sure who they are
In May, not long after our newly elected prime minister fended off talk of Canada becoming the 51st state during his first face-to-face with U.S. President Donald Trump, there was an auction of all-Canadian art. On the block, several canvases by members of the Group of Seven. In the auction house, a heightened sense of excitement. 'Elbows up' may be the familiar catchphrase, but, in that Toronto sales room, 'it was 'paddles up' and a lot of heightened patriotism towards our master Canadian artists,' says David Heffel, president of Heffel Gallery Limited . The auction pulled in $22 million, shattering records for Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer and A.Y. Jackson. Lawren Harris's 'Northern Lake' went for $3.1 million. It was a striking moment of recognition for the Group of Seven — one that landed just ahead of another milestone: the first official Group of Seven Day in Ontario. Amid a calendar already filled with dates celebrating cultural heritage , Vimy Ridge and even Nikola Tesla, the province announced late last year that every July 7 will now honour the pioneering artists who helped shape Canada's visual identity — even as that legacy is not without complications. 'A day like this is tremendously important,' says Heffel, 'particularly at a time when Canada's sovereign status is being challenged.' John Geoghegan, associate curator at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection — home to 2,000 Group works — echoes the sentiment, noting that the current political climate gives this day particular resonance. 'What the Group of Seven give us is an opportunity to see what's at risk.' And that is the beauty and vastness and natural diversity of this country, from fall in Ontario and winter in Quebec to summer in Nunavut. 'They were among the first artists to come together and paint Canada in a distinct way that was different from just transplanting a European painting tradition onto a Canadian landscape,' says Geoghegan. 'They got people excited about Canadian culture really for the first time.' But their debut wasn't fully embraced. Their first exhibition on May 7, 1920, at the Art Gallery of Toronto (now the AGO) was greeted with mixed reaction. Only five of 120 works sold, although an article in the Toronto Daily Star, headlined 'Seven Painters Show Some Excellent Work,' hinted at potential. 'Their work was actually quite radical,' says Renée van der Avoird, associate curator of Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario , which has 700 Group pieces. 'They were really rejecting the traditional academic style that was prominent in Toronto in those days. It was a very conservative art scene and they were working towards a much more expressive and experimental style.' While the makeup of the group fluctuated over the years, the founding seven were Lawren Harris, Franklin Carmichael, A.Y. Jackson, Frank (Franz) Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald, and F.H. Varley. A.J. Casson, Edwin Holgate and Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald were later members and Emily Carr an honorary one. Tom Thomson, often mistakenly counted among the group, had a profound influence on the artists, but he died while on a canoe trip in Algonquin Park in 1917. John Geoghegan, associate curator, McMichael Canadian Art Collection says the gallery's version of the Mona Lisa is Lawren Harris's Mount Lefroy. 'If we took that painting off the wall and put it in a vault, people would start to picket outside of the gallery because it is so beloved.' A series of prints featuring the Group of Seven's landscapes propelled their work into a national spotlight. From the 1940s through to the 1970s, these prints hung in retail stores, libraries, banks, offices, hospitals and schools across the country — embedding the group's vision of Canada into the everyday lives of Canadians and influencing future artists like Douglas Coupland . What drew people, says Geoghegan, is 'this understanding of a way to be in the landscape. It's something a lot of people crave, especially those who live in places like Toronto. There is a desire to maybe get away, and I think we can find a lot of inspiration in the work and maybe even solace, too.' The group's images of wind-blown pines and choppy waters, snow-capped mountains and stormy skies can now be found on everything from calendars to tote bags. 'The works are not only awe-inspiring standing in the National Gallery or the AGO or the McMichael, but I also learn a lot from just seeing them on coffee mugs,' says Heffel, who owns both original Group of Seven paintings and Tom Thomson placemats. In the last decade, the Group has been championed by the likes of actor Steve Martin and in major international exhibits in England and this year in Switzerland and Buffalo. But the group — composed of white Canadian- or British-born men — has increasingly come under critical scrutiny, along with the landscapes they made iconic. Their paintings, while now deeply tied to the image of Canada, often present an idealized wilderness. Tom Thomson's The West Wind is seen at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Thomson had a profound influence on the Group of Seven. A.Y. Jackson's 'In Jasper Park,' 1924. 'They chose to paint scenes that were devoid of human presence but there were, of course, Indigenous communities and industry, logging and mining,' says van der Avoird. 'So in a sense the image they portray of Canada is not accurate; it's more mythical.' That vision doesn't always resonate with everyone today. Although the Group is briefly mentioned in the Ontario school curriculum , their prominence in art education varies. Matthew Varey, director of arts at Havergal College and formerly at Etobicoke School of the Arts , chooses not to focus on their contributions, opting instead to highlight living artists. The work 'is beautiful, it is appreciated … but I don't know if it has the currency that we really need these days,' he says, before acknowledging that the designated day, however, is 'a great starting point' to initiate a broader conversation about Canada and the arts. The AGO, which is normally closed Monday, will be open to mark the day . The McMichael gallery will be hosting events on Sunday.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Group of Seven Shatters Records at Heffel's Landmark All-Canadian Auction
Heffel's watershed all-Canadian auction achieves $22M and shatters records for major artists Group of Seven masterpieces from University Club of Toronto collection dominate sale Multiple auction records smashed, including Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer, A.Y. Jackson and Daphne Odjig TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Heffel Fine Art Auction House is honoured to celebrate the success of its record-breaking Spring live auction, a watershed evening dedicated exclusively to Canadian masterworks. The all-Canadian sale, held in Heffel's Toronto saleroom, brought together collectors from across the country and around the globe, united in their pursuit of Canada's most legendary artists. It was an electric night for the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, whose major paintings shattered records and contributed to the evening's overall total of $22 million. As the leader in Canada's market and ranked among the top auction houses in the world globally, Heffel is proud to champion the nation's cultural icons on the international stage. The auction was led by three historic Group of Seven canvases by Lawren Harris, Franklin Carmichael and Arthur Lismer, consigned from the storied University Club of Toronto. These exceptional paintings by Canada's first national art movement—steeped in institutional history and national pride—anchored a night of landmark results and celebrated a vital chapter in Canada's cultural history. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.) "Tonight was a true celebration of Canada," said Robert Heffel, Vice President of Heffel. "To see such exceptional works by our country's iconic artists resonate so deeply with collectors is incredibly rewarding. It's an honour for our team to help steward these national treasures into their next chapters." Highlights from the Heffel Spring 2025 Live Auction A landmark canvas by Lawren Harris led the evening, drawing serious interest from collectors. Northern Lake, a 1926 masterpiece from the University Club of Toronto collection, realized $3,121,250. The historic painting of international acclaim, awarded a gold medal at the 1926 Sesqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and exhibited at the Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris, is a defining example of Harris's celebrated vision and mastery (est. $2,000,000 – 3,000,000). Leaf Pattern, the dazzling 1922 canvas by Franklin Carmichael shattered both its presale estimate and the artist's auction record and sold for $2,281,250 at the Heffel sale (est. $700,000 – 900,000). Also consigned from the University Club of Toronto, widely published and exhibited extensively throughout its lifetime, this stunning canvas truly captivated collectors. McGregor Bay Islands by Group of Seven artist Arthur Lismer achieved an exceptional price of $1,621,250, setting an auction record for the artist and marking Lismer's entry first entry into the million-dollar club. Widely exhibited and long held at the University Club of Toronto, the stunning canvas stands as one of Lismer's most important works and a quintessential example of the Group of Seven's vision (est. $600,000 – $800,000). A.Y. Jackson's phenomenal Night on the Skeena River set a deserving new auction record for the artist, soaring to $1,081,250 (est. $800,000 – $1,000,000). Painted during his pivotal Group of Seven years, the dramatic canvas is widely considered one of the finest canvases ever painted by the artist. Tom Thomson's rare and coveted oil sketches continue to be among the most sought-after works in Canadian art. Three outstanding paintings each surpassed $1 million, showcasing his most iconic subjects and locations; Autumn, Algonquin Park sold for $1,201,250, Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park for $1,051,250 and Dawn on Round Lake (Kawawaymog Lake) for $1,021,250. Important works by Emily Carr realized strong prices in the Heffel auction, including her dynamic seascape canvas Shoreline, which sold for $901,250 (est. $750,000 – 850,000) and British Columbia Forest for $541,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000), reaffirming the artist's enduring global appeal. Heffel continues to champion Carr's incredible legacy and unmatched place in Canadian art history. Carr's masterworks, together with works by Lawren Harris and other Canadian greats, are on view in the global touring exhibition Northern Lights, currently on at Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland, before opening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York. Daphne Odjig's beautiful Awakening of Spring set a new auction record for the artist and sold for $133,250. The powerful and distinctive canvas exemplifies Odjig's ability to blend traditional themes with contemporary expression, solidifying her status as a pivotal figure in Canadian art (est. $50,000 – 70,000). For more information on the works included in Heffel's spring live auction, visit Heffel is now welcoming consignments for the fall 2025 auction season. The deadline for fall consignments is August 2025. About Heffel Fine Art Auction HouseSince 1978, Heffel has connected passionate collectors across the world with outstanding works of art, with sales of more than $1 billion. Heffel is renowned for its expertise in effectively managing and handling the sale of works from estates, institutional collections, corporate collections and private collections, serving as trusted experts for navigating the complexities of art collections with precision and care. Notable results include the 2016 sale of Lawren Harris' Mountain Forms for $11,210,000– the record for any Canadian artwork ever sold at auction – as well as Jean Paul Riopelle's Vent du nord for $7,438,750 in 2017. With galleries and support facilities in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of specialists in Canada and provides premium client service to both sellers and buyers internationally. SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Group of Seven Shatters Records at Heffel's Landmark All-Canadian Auction
Heffel's watershed all-Canadian auction achieves $22M and shatters records for major artists Group of Seven masterpieces from University Club of Toronto collection dominate sale Multiple auction records smashed, including Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer, A.Y. Jackson and Daphne Odjig TORONTO, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Heffel Fine Art Auction House is honoured to celebrate the success of its record-breaking Spring live auction, a watershed evening dedicated exclusively to Canadian masterworks. The all-Canadian sale, held in Heffel's Toronto saleroom, brought together collectors from across the country and around the globe, united in their pursuit of Canada's most legendary artists. It was an electric night for the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, whose major paintings shattered records and contributed to the evening's overall total of $22 million. As the leader in Canada's market and ranked among the top auction houses in the world globally, Heffel is proud to champion the nation's cultural icons on the international stage. The auction was led by three historic Group of Seven canvases by Lawren Harris, Franklin Carmichael and Arthur Lismer, consigned from the storied University Club of Toronto. These exceptional paintings by Canada's first national art movement—steeped in institutional history and national pride—anchored a night of landmark results and celebrated a vital chapter in Canada's cultural history. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.) "Tonight was a true celebration of Canada," said Robert Heffel, Vice President of Heffel. "To see such exceptional works by our country's iconic artists resonate so deeply with collectors is incredibly rewarding. It's an honour for our team to help steward these national treasures into their next chapters." Highlights from the Heffel Spring 2025 Live Auction A landmark canvas by Lawren Harris led the evening, drawing serious interest from collectors. Northern Lake, a 1926 masterpiece from the University Club of Toronto collection, realized $3,121,250. The historic painting of international acclaim, awarded a gold medal at the 1926 Sesqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and exhibited at the Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris, is a defining example of Harris's celebrated vision and mastery (est. $2,000,000 – 3,000,000). Leaf Pattern, the dazzling 1922 canvas by Franklin Carmichael shattered both its presale estimate and the artist's auction record and sold for $2,281,250 at the Heffel sale (est. $700,000 – 900,000). Also consigned from the University Club of Toronto, widely published and exhibited extensively throughout its lifetime, this stunning canvas truly captivated collectors. McGregor Bay Islands by Group of Seven artist Arthur Lismer achieved an exceptional price of $1,621,250, setting an auction record for the artist and marking Lismer's entry first entry into the million-dollar club. Widely exhibited and long held at the University Club of Toronto, the stunning canvas stands as one of Lismer's most important works and a quintessential example of the Group of Seven's vision (est. $600,000 – $800,000). A.Y. Jackson 's phenomenal Night on the Skeena River set a deserving new auction record for the artist, soaring to $1,081,250 (est. $800,000 – $1,000,000). Painted during his pivotal Group of Seven years, the dramatic canvas is widely considered one of the finest canvases ever painted by the artist. Tom Thomson 's rare and coveted oil sketches continue to be among the most sought-after works in Canadian art. Three outstanding paintings each surpassed $1 million, showcasing his most iconic subjects and locations; Autumn, Algonquin Park sold for $1,201,250, Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park for $1,051,250 and Dawn on Round Lake (Kawawaymog Lake) for $1,021,250. Important works by Emily Carr realized strong prices in the Heffel auction, including her dynamic seascape canvas Shoreline, which sold for $901,250 (est. $750,000 – 850,000) and British Columbia Forest for $541,250 (est. $250,000 – 350,000), reaffirming the artist's enduring global appeal. Heffel continues to champion Carr's incredible legacy and unmatched place in Canadian art history. Carr's masterworks, together with works by Lawren Harris and other Canadian greats, are on view in the global touring exhibition Northern Lights, currently on at Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland, before opening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York. Daphne Odjig 's beautiful Awakening of Spring set a new auction record for the artist and sold for $133,250. The powerful and distinctive canvas exemplifies Odjig's ability to blend traditional themes with contemporary expression, solidifying her status as a pivotal figure in Canadian art (est. $50,000 – 70,000). For more information on the works included in Heffel's spring live auction, visit Heffel is now welcoming consignments for the fall 2025 auction season. The deadline for fall consignments is August 2025. About Heffel Fine Art Auction House Since 1978, Heffel has connected passionate collectors across the world with outstanding works of art, with sales of more than $1 billion. Heffel is renowned for its expertise in effectively managing and handling the sale of works from estates, institutional collections, corporate collections and private collections, serving as trusted experts for navigating the complexities of art collections with precision and care. Notable results include the 2016 sale of Lawren Harris' Mountain Forms for $11,210,000– the record for any Canadian artwork ever sold at auction – as well as Jean Paul Riopelle's Vent du nord for $7,438,750 in 2017. With galleries and support facilities in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of specialists in Canada and provides premium client service to both sellers and buyers internationally. SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House
