Cowley Abbott

Learn more about the Sampson-Matthews Silkscreen Project and our special second session auction of rare works from the Archives of Sampson-Matthews Ltd. in Cowley Abbott’s new blog! Visit News & Blogs at CowleyAbbott.ca to read about this truly Canadian project or take a peek at the artworks included in this exciting auction which is open for bidding until February 23rd (https://cowleyabbott.ca/items/1121).

Active in artistic circles, Leonard Brooks participated in most of the major exhibitions in Canada, and represented the country at the World’s Fair in 1936. Brooks started a project of painting activities on the Great Lakes about 1939, moving about the various docks and on the many ships that arrived and departed from the Great Lake ports. When the Second World War was under way he left this project and his teaching post to enlist in the Royal Canadian Navy as an Able Seaman.... He served on Minesweepers, Motor Torpedo Boats, and on the aircraft carrier Puncher. He was appointed an official war artist in 1944 and returned to Canada in 1945. After his discharge Brooks moved to Mexico in 1947 with his wife Reva, who was a photographer. The couple travelled widely throughout Mexico. Leonard and Reva held a joint exhibition of their works a number of times, including the Fine Art Galleries of Eaton’s in Toronto in 1949. His style might be described as a combination between realism and impressionism but very individualistic. His media included oils, watercolours, casein, duco and polymer, and the artist also wrote a number of books on painting techniques. Frank Leonard Brooks, Mexican Window, oil on canvas, 18 x 29 inches, Available for Immediate Sale (Buy Art Now), https://cowleyabbott.ca/artwork/AW35796 #leonardbrooks #artist #fineart #stilllifepainting #buyartnow #loveart #canadianart

We are excited to share that the catalogues for the February Online Auctions are now available at CowleyAbbott.ca! The Online Auction of Works on Paper, Prints & Books, which is very popular with both emerging and seasoned collectors, runs from February 9-23rd. https://cowleyabbott.ca/items Running in conjunction with this curated online auction, Cowley Abbott is delighted to present a special second session auction offering a selection of works from the Archives of Samps...on-Matthews Ltd., which includes a variety of rare silkscreens from the Sampson-Matthews Silkscreen Project. Bidding for this auction is open from February 9-23rd. https://cowleyabbott.ca/items/1121 Lot 31, Robert Motherwell, Basque Suite C (Belknap 55; Engberg & Banach 84), silkscreen, 29.25 x 23 ins (sight), Online Auction of Works on Paper, Prints & Books (February 9-23rd) https://cowleyabbott.ca/artwork/AW36901 , #onlineauctions #auctionhouse #worksonpaper #fineart #sampsonmatthews #robertmotherwell #art #artcollectors

We invite you to virtually meet a member of the Cowley Abbott team! Anna Holmes, Senior Canadian Art Specialist, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours from Queen's University, majoring in Art History and History. While undertaking her undergraduate studies, Anna volunteered and worked at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, acting as both a Curatorial Assistant and Collections Assistant, enriching her knowledge of research procedures, cataloguing, acquisitions and art han...dling. What began as a curiosity about the art auction industry developed into a career choice which Anna explored through internships at respected Toronto auction houses. Anna then pursued further education, obtaining a Masters degree in Art, Style and Design, Art World Practice, with Christie's Education in London, England, earning her MLitt degree from the University of Glasgow. Anna's professional background includes a decade of experience in the Canadian auction world, working with various Toronto houses and receiving mentorship from recognized experts in the Canadian Art auction industry. Anna’s expertise in the field of Canadian Art, combined with her passion for arts and culture, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service, made her a welcome addition to the Cowley Abbott team in 2019. When she is not focusing on her professional responsibilities, Anna enjoys keeping current with cultural activities, including the theatre, music, and dance. Among other arts-related organizations, she is a member of the Women's Art Association of Canada and enjoys the educational enrichment provided by these groups. Anna greatly looks forward to further engagement with the Canadian art community and welcoming collectors to the gallery again in the near future. #meettheteam #cowleyabbott #virtualintroduction #staff #artlovers #auctionhouse

Lydia Abbott highlights the key factors that are considered when assessing an artwork and explains how to understand the value of your art in this interview with CBC. We greatly look forward to the day when we can welcome visitors back to our gallery, but in the meantime, we are happy to discuss the value of your art virtually - send us a message here or visit CowleyAbbott.ca to contact our team.

In honour of Remembrance Day and the sacrifice continuing to be made by the men and women of the Armed Forces, we wish to share Departure of a Troop Ship 1918-1919" by Arthur Lismer. In the late summer of 1916, Arthur Lismer settled with his family in Halifax where he became principal of The Victoria School of Art and Design. Lismer received a commission from the Canadian War Records in June of 1918, to paint the activities of the Canadian armed forces around Halifax. During this period he did several large canvases The Olympic, Convoy in Bedford Basin, Halifax HarbourTime of War, several black chalk drawings, and about seventeen lithographs with scenes of ships and seaplanes. His large war paintings are bold in design through Lismer's play on the ships' camouflage.

Jean Paul Riopelle Dieppes, 1966 oil on canvas 23.5 ins x 28.75 ins... Complete Catalogue Listing: https://cowleyabbott.ca/artwork/AW36342

This season marks 40 years since the tragic passing of John Lennon. The Beatles legend would also have turned 80 this past October 9th. These anniversaries are being commemorated in a multitude of ways with a BBC radio special hosted by Lennon's son, Sean, as well as a BBC TV documentary, tribute albums and books on the musician. This iconographic lithograph, made by the colourful and charismatic Harold Town, was created in 1969, a significant year for John Lennon. Lennon ma...rried Yoko Ono in the spring of 1969 and recorded the first Plastic Ono Band’s album during a music festival, Live Peace in Toronto 1969. This was also the year when the couple had their Bed-In in Montreal, staying for seven days at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, culminating in the recording of their legendary Give Peace a Chance anthem. Town has perfectly captured this cultural icon in "John Lennon, an important work by Town, coupled with the current significant anniversaries for the musician. Lot 244, Harold Town, John Lennon, lithograph, 20 x 14 inches, Estimated: $1,500-2,000, November Auction of Canadian & International Art (until November 17th) #johnlennon #thebeatles #haroldtown #canadianart #culturalicon #anniversary #auction #art #artcollector

Cowley Abbott is delighted to be entrusted with this exceptional painting by Emily Carr, to be included in our Fall Live Auction of Important Canadian Art on December 3rd. Forest Glade comes from the period in Emily Carr’s life when she was working in thinned oil paint on paper. She used oil-based commercial house paint rather than artist’s oils, which she further thinned to the consistency of cream. This allowed her to orchestrate the movement of the paint very quickly, a...llowing her deep sensitivity to the life-essence forest itself, to its subtle and not so subtle quivers and shudders and connectedness to the wind, sunlight, and air, to be instantly captured. It was a mad joy-dance indeed, between a sensitive soul and her fleeting subject, made possible by her adjustments to her media. Works from these years 1937-1942 are often compared to those of Vincent Van Gogh, both [are] expressionists, and work, as far as one can judge, under the influence of deep and intense feelings. Carr’s mastery of atmosphere, colour, and mood were praised, and in these years, she was offered more exhibition opportunities than she could generate work to meet. With failing health and a resulting decreased mobility, she begrudgingly adjusted her methods and focused on working from a central base, with short excursions or a convenient porch as a painting place. Please visit our website to learn more about this intimate and charming painting, and to read the full essay. We extend our thanks to Lisa Christensen, Canadian art academic for contributing an essay on the work. We also extend our thanks to Charles Hill, Canadian art historian and former curator of Canadian Art with the NGC for his assistance in researching the provenance of this artwork. Complete catalogue listing: https://cowleyabbott.ca/artwork/AW35086 Lot 30, Emily Carr, Forest Glade (Dark Glade), oil on paper on board, 28.75 x 23.75 inches Estimate: $100,000-150,000

The Cowley Abbott Fall Live Auction of Important Canadian Art will take place on Thursday, December 3rd in Toronto. Highlights include stunning work by Jack Bush, Jean Paul Riopelle, Emily Carr and the Group of Seven, with a wide selection of historical, post-war and contemporary artworks making their debut at auction. Bidders can participate through absentee, telephone, and online bidding and previews begin in our Toronto gallery on Monday, November 2nd. - https://mailchi.mp//live-auction-of-important-canadian-art