AAM RCA
1866 - 1934
Canadian
Dordrecht at Twilight
oil on canvas
on verso titled on a label and certified by Cullen Inventory #185
34 x 44 1/4 in, 86.3 x 112.4 cm
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CAD
Sold for: $11,700
Preview at: Heffel Vancouver
PROVENANCE
Collection of Michel Moreault, former Director of the Dominion Gallery, Montreal, and family
Dordrecht at Twilight is evidence of Canadian Impressionist Maurice Cullen’s important early connection to Europe. In 1888 when he traveled to Paris to study, Cullen embraced the new breakthrough movement of Impressionism. While based there, he traveled to the French countryside, Italy, North Africa and, before his return to Canada in 1895, to Rotterdam, Holland. In 1901 he was back in Paris, he visited Holland again before his return to Montreal in 1902. Dordrecht, on the Thure River, the location of this fine atmospheric painting, is the oldest city in Holland. Cullen deftly communicates the ambience of twilight in this scene in elements such as the shadowy church spire and the building at the river’s edge, with its glowing lights shimmering in the dark water.
Cullen had achieved recognition in Europe, but it would be some years before his success took hold in Canada. Soon after his return, artist Clarence Gagnon discovered that Cullen was painting over some of his European paintings due to lack of funds for new materials, making large canvases such as this a rare occurrence in the market.
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 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.