Sold for: $277,250

PROVENANCE
Estate of G. Blair Laing, Toronto
Canadian Art, Joyner Fine Art Inc., November 26, 1991, lot 133
Private Collection, Vancouver
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, November 26, 2009, lot 206
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, Calgary

Franz Johnston’s interest in planes began in 1918, when he was commissioned to document the Royal Flying Corps at their training camps in Ontario as part of the Canadian War Memorials program during World War I; a number of these paintings are in the collection of the Canadian War Museum. Later, Johnston’s fascination with planes continued, as seen in the circa 1920 canvas entitled The Fire Ranger, in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, and in this colourful work from 1927. In that year, Johnston is known to have visited both northern Ontario and northern Quebec, and his paintings in these locations are noted for their clarity of light. Johnston was also well-known for his expert use of tempera, a predominant medium in his work, and this painting, with its rich colour and dramatic sunset light, is an outstanding example of his tempera works. Johnston was a member of the Group of Seven until 1924, after which he continued their practice of taking subjects directly from trips into the wilderness. In this fresh and vivid painting, Johnston communicates the exhilaration of flying in for a landing in this beautiful and wild environment.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars