Canadian Fine Art Auction

November 21, 2016

LOT 99

Lot 99

JAMES (JOCK) WILLIAMSON GALLOWAY MACDONALD, O.S.A., A.R.C.A.

JAMES (JOCK) WILLIAMSON GALLOWAY MACDONALD, O.S.A., A.R.C.A.
Lot 99 Details
JAMES (JOCK) WILLIAMSON GALLOWAY MACDONALD, O.S.A., A.R.C.A.

THE BUTTERFLY

oil and Lucite 44 on board
signed and dated ‘57; also signed and titled on the reverse
19.75 ins x 24 ins; 50.8 cms x 58.4 cms

Estimate $20,000-$30,000

Realised: $19,200
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
JAMES (JOCK) WILLIAMSON GALLOWAY MACDONALD, O.S.A., A.R.C.A.
  • JAMES (JOCK) WILLIAMSON GALLOWAY MACDONALD, O.S.A., A.R.C.A.
  • JAMES (JOCK) WILLIAMSON GALLOWAY MACDONALD, O.S.A., A.R.C.A.
Provenance:

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

Literature:

Joyce Zemans, Jock Macdonald: The Inner Landscape, A Retrospective Exhibition, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 1981, page 207 for The Butterfly, 1946 a watercolour directly related to this lot, in the collection of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, reproduced. 

Joyce Zemans, Jock Macdonald: 1897-1960, (Canadian Artists Series), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 1985, page 7, 24 and page 45 for this lot reproduced.

Note:

Joyce Zemans states: "The art of Jock Macdonald, one of Canada's greatest and most dedicated exponents of abstract painting, represents in microcosm the development of abstract art in this country." In short, though his role is often eclipsed by the story of abstract art in Quebec, Macdonald's influence on a generation of abstract artists assuredly in Ontario if not more broadly was as crucial as Borduas’ was in Quebec. 

Macdonald's full-time teaching responsibilities at OCA during the mid-50s left him limited time for painting but Zemans tells us that over the summer of 1956 he was able to devote himself full time to his practice. It was at this time that he discovered DUCO, a product which allowed him to paint with greater fluidity but at a huge cost; DUCO had an unfortunate odor that sickened Macdonald who was compelled to paint with his windows thrown wide open. He experimented with the product until Harold Town introduced him to Lucite 44 which rendered similar effects to DUCO without the dreadful smell. Zemans notes: ”Fluid and quick drying, it allowed Macdonald to work in oil on canvas or masonite as he had in watercolour on paper." Indeed, Macdonald produced The Butterfly in 1957, inspired by a work of the same name he had executed in watercolour and ink only a year prior achieving in this new medium an almost identical effect.  

According to Zemans in January 1958 the influential New York art critic Clement Greenburg (friend and adviser to color field painters everywhere), "told Macdonald that his latest work was 'hitting absolute tops'.” This lot, The Butterfly, hails from that seminal period. 

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 99
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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.