Joyner’s Canadian Art Auction

May 25, 2012

LOT 124

Lot 124

CHARLES PACHTER

CHARLES PACHTER
Lot 124 Details
CHARLES PACHTER

THE PAINTED FLAG

oil on canvas
signed and dated ‘84
26 ins x 24 ins; 65 cms x 60 cms

Estimate $12,000-$15,000

Realised: $14,160
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

Private Collection, Toronto.

Literature:

Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov, Charles Pachter, Toronto, 1992, pages 71,
84, 86-87 and colour plates 88-91 for other works from the artist’s “The Painted Flag” series.

Note:

Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov discusses the Toronto artist’s beginnings in depicting Canada’s flag and the comparison of Pachter’s “The Painted Flag” series to the depictions of the American flag by contemporary American artist, Jasper Johns: “In June of 1980, Pachter began a series of paintings which later eclipsed his streetcar and queen on moose themes in capturing the public imagination. After building an improvised flagpole on his Oro farm, he observed the different configurations produced by the rippling flag in rapid succession. He photographed hundreds of variations for later reference. This approach was different from that of American artist Jasper Johns, whose unmodulated grid-like studies of the American flag were seen less as patriotic symbols than as points of departure for formal abstractions. In contrast, Pachter painted the Canadian flag hovering in the air, observed from various angles and distances with emphasis on light and shadow.

In variations on this theme, Pachter alternated the scale of the flag to pole, or abandoned the pole altogether. He also introduced different background shades of blue and improbable hues such as black and pink, suffusing “The Painted Flags” with an aura that extended far beyond the moment captured.”

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 124
×

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.