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LOT DETAILS
                     
                     
                     
                     

This session is closed for bidding.
Current bid: $3,000 CAD
Bidding History
Paddle # Date Amount
823145 21-Apr-2021 01:18:31 PM $3,000
823152 21-Apr-2021 01:15:21 PM $2,750
823145 21-Apr-2021 01:14:10 PM $2,500
823152 21-Apr-2021 01:13:24 PM $2,250
823145 21-Apr-2021 01:00:35 PM $2,000
27897 21-Apr-2021 12:56:56 PM $1,900
823145 21-Apr-2021 11:01:19 AM $1,800
27897 21-Apr-2021 10:26:50 AM $1,700
823145 21-Apr-2021 09:48:31 AM $1,600 autobid
27897 21-Apr-2021 09:48:31 AM $1,500
823145 21-Apr-2021 09:45:27 AM $1,400 autobid
27897 21-Apr-2021 09:45:27 AM $1,300
823145 21-Apr-2021 09:43:44 AM $1,200 autobid
14875 20-Apr-2021 09:15:49 PM $1,100
822656 20-Apr-2021 09:12:31 PM $1,000
14875 19-Apr-2021 05:38:43 PM $900
27897 19-Apr-2021 05:37:00 PM $800
14875 16-Apr-2021 08:33:10 PM $700
13988 15-Apr-2021 08:27:48 PM $600
822994 12-Apr-2021 09:46:21 AM $500

LOT h015

CAS OC PY QMG RCA
1906 - 1988
Canadian

Andante
colour serigraph on paper
signed, titled, editioned E.A. 11/15 and dated 1974
16 5/8 x 21 1/2 in, 42.2 x 54.6 cm

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500 CAD

Sold for: $3,750

Preview at: Heffel Montreal

PROVENANCE
Legs Madeleine Poliseno-Pelland Bequest
Fondation du Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec

LITERATURE
Alfred Pellan, “The Tail of the Comet: Alfred Pellan, Witness to Surrealism”, Vie des arts, 1975, vol. 20, no. 80, page 19


Alfred Pellan was quite familiar with the variety of techniques the Surrealists invented, in favour of using chance as a creative strategy, and to reject the predominance of external reality. In this regard, we see evidence of Pellan’s Surrealist heritage, and he would also call on what the Surrealists referred to as “objective chance.” He used blots, drips, rubbing, and decals—all pictorial techniques derived from automatic writing—as the driving force in developing his compositions. Several works representing landscapes are the result of automatic painting that started from a few improvised blotches of colour applied directly to the canvas. Some paintings transform into dreamscapes, others remain more organic. Pellan favoured texture and the use of motifs. Masses of colour also serve as a base for the proliferation of curious creatures, notably in his numerous Bestiaires. “It’s interesting to see them become fish, seaweed, and all sorts of unknown beasts,” Pellan said about them.

Alfred Pellan connaissait bien la diversité des techniques inventées par les surréalistes au moyen desquelles la provocation du hasard comme source de création était préconisée pour contrer la prédominance de la réalité extérieure. L’héritage surréaliste d’Alfred Pellan est perceptible à cet égard, puisqu’il aura lui aussi fait appel à ce que les surréalistes dénommaient le « hasard objectif ». Taches, dégoulinures, frottage et décalcomanie, toutes des techniques picturales issues de l’écriture automatique, ont en effet plus d’une fois servi de moteur à l’élaboration de ses compositions. Plusieurs œuvres représentant des paysages sont le résultat d’un automatisme dirigé à partir de quelques taches de couleurs improvisées appliquées directement sur la toile. Certaines se métamorphosent en des paysages oniriques, d’autres demeurent plus organiques. Elles privilégient les jeux de textures et le déploiement de motifs. Des amas de couleurs auront aussi servi de base à la prolifération de curieuses créatures, notamment dans ses nombreux Bestiaires. « Il est intéressant de voir cela devenir des poissons, des algues et toutes sortes de bêtes inconnues », nous dit-il à leur propos.

We thank Eve-Lyne Beaudry and Marie-Hélène Métivier for the contributing the original French essay.

Please note: the full sheet size of this work is 20 1/8 x 26 1/8 inches.

Please note: Consignor proceeds of this Lot will benefit the Fondation du Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. This lot is accompanied by a certificate of provenance from the Fondation du Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.

The Buyer is hereby advised to read fully the Terms and Conditions of Business and Catalogue Terms, including our HO2 Sale Notice and any Addendum or Erratum specific to the Fondation du Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec HO2 auction.


All prices are in Canadian Dollars


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