Handful of A.Y. Jackson paintings heading to auction
Art collectors will have a chance to bid on works by the Group of Seven’s A.Y. Jackson as the Art Gallery of Ontario culls its collection to make room for under-represented artists.
The Heffel Fine Art Auction House estimates the selection of paintings and oil sketches will fetch more than $660,000 in total, with 17 canvases set to go up for sale this spring.
The profits from the deaccessioned works will go toward purchasing new acquisitions with the aim of diversifying its Indigenous and Canadian collection, an AGO spokeswoman said.
“One of the AGO’s key collecting priorities is to buy works by artists who have traditionally been under-represented in art museums, allowing us to redress historical gaps and better reflect the people who live here,” Caitlin Coull said.
Art collections are “dynamic” and need to be refined over time said Julian Cox, AGO deputy director and chief curator.
The AGO boasts an extensive collection of works by the Group of Seven, and will continue to hold a robust representation of Jackson’s career as a landscape artist, Cox said.
“We are most honoured to ... assist with the thoughtful divestment of these very special Jackson paintings,” said David Heffel, president of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. “This is a unique opportunity for passionate collectors to bring home a piece of Canadian history.”
The Jackson paintings will be offered in a series of auctions kicking off with Heffel’s online and live sales in May.
Among the highlights are Laurentian Hills, a winter scene valued between $250,000 and $350,000.
The works will be previewed before Heffel’s spring live auction on May 29.