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Inventory # A22S-E20624-001

1815 - 1872
Canadian

Bears Foraging at Sunset
oil on canvas on board
signed and dated 1866 and on verso titled on the gallery label and stamped FB 151
18 x 15 in, 45.7 x 38.1 cm

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Quebec City
Galerie Walter Klinkhoff Inc., Montreal
Private Collection, Victoria
Fine Canadian Art, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, November 24, 2006, lot 99
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, Montreal


Cornelius Krieghoff depicted the wilderness around Montreal and Quebec City in complex tableau scenes that included Indigenous people, habitants, European sportsmen and animals such as moose, deer and bears. Krieghoff was deeply interested in Quebec’s natural environment – he hunted and fished, and had collections of birds’ eggs and insects.

In this striking painting, the artist’s mastery of composition and his use of fine detail are impressive. Typical of Krieghoff’s tableaux, this scene is romanticized – the bears are following their natural pursuits in an atmosphere of peace, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. A spectacular sunset is reflected in the water in the foreground, which one bear appears to have paused to contemplate, further adding to the romantic atmosphere. Krieghoff also used one of his favourite motifs - large rocks - which serve as anchors for the landscape and open pathways to let space and light into this engaging scene.

This lot is accompanied by a photo-certificate of authenticity from Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, dated December 8, 1990.

Available for viewing at: Heffel Montreal

All prices are in Canadian Dollars


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