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LOT 023

CGP CPE CSGA OC OSA P11 RCA
1924 - 1990
Canadian

Music for Horizontals
oil and Lucite on canvas
signed and dated 1954 and on verso signed, titled, dated 1953 and inscribed "Shown at Roberts Gallery 54? 55?" and "HT-PO-146"
25 5/8 x 46 5/8 in, 65.1 x 118.4 cm

Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000 CAD

Sold for: $28,125

Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave

PROVENANCE
Estate of the Artist
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, Ontario


Harold Town was blessed with intellectual curiosity and acuity, and his extraordinary skills as a draughtsman were key to his success in producing a prolific and unique body of work – both figurative and abstract. We now accept that artists are free to create works that leave objective reality behind, but the struggle for that acceptance from the majority of viewers took many years before it became a fait accompli, and remained a topic of debate in the Canadian post-war period. Eventually viewers accepted that abstract images were grounded in each artist’s experience of the world, whether in landscape, still life, the human figure or dreams.

This work has one of Town’s poetic and witty titles – which makes one want to re-examine the image to better decipher his meaning. Music for Horizontals is a splendid illustration of the artist’s accomplishments as an abstract painter during the time when Painters Eleven had their first exhibition at Toronto’s Roberts Gallery. Here he has transposed and re-imagined what are likely objects - possibly a raised piano lid, a chair, a tabletop or an easel - in his studio or living room. It is a lively and vibrant scene, with bold reds, oranges, greens and blues, brought to life by the tempo of Town’s vigorous graphic gestures.


Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000 CAD

All prices are in Canadian Dollars


Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information posted, errors and omissions may occur. All bids are subject to our Terms and Conditions of Business. Bidders must ensure they have satisfied themselves with the condition of the Lot prior to bidding. Condition reports are available upon request.