LOT 130

ARCA
1888 - 1970
Canadian

Summer Landscape
oil on board
signed and dated September 22, 1955 and on verso titled on the gallery label, inscribed “A-5927-SOELL” and variously and numbered H-0200 on the catalogue raisonné label
24 5/8 x 30 1/4 in, 62.5 x 76.8 cm

Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000 CAD

Preview at: Heffel Montreal

PROVENANCE
Jacoby’s House of Antiques, Montreal, November 17, 1976
Galerie Walter Klinkhoff Inc., Montreal
A.K. Prakash & Associates Inc., Toronto
Private Collection, Nova Scotia


Marc-Aurèle Fortin’s depictions of Quebec’s rural landscapes are suffused with a profound reverence for the natural world, where trees—particularly the majestic elm—stand as enduring sentinels. Summer Landscape, painted in 1955, serves as a quintessential example of Fortin’s exceptional command of colour and form.

In this work, Fortin plays with scale and perspective to capture a sense of place. The stately elm tree in the left foreground asserts its grandeur, its graceful foliage cascading over the pink house and the horse-drawn wagon below. The wagon, rendered in a deliberately exaggerated scale, almost rivals the house in size, creating a striking equilibrium within the composition. This purposeful distortion of scale, coupled with Fortin’s signature flattening of planes, imbues the scene with a dreamlike quality, inviting the viewer into a realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination seamlessly blur. The painting celebrates the beauty of the rural landscape and at the same time reflects Fortin’s innovative approach to visual storytelling.

Notably, the artist allows the Masonite board to show through in areas, using its natural tone to enhance the texture and warmth of the scene. Summer Landscape stands as a definitive example of Fortin’s unique artistic vision and his ability to elevate the ordinary into something extraordinary.


Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000 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.