Sold for: $7,080

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the Artist by Claude Vermette, Montreal
By descent to the present Private Collection, Montreal

This remarkable painting by Jean-Paul Armand Mousseau is a preparatory study for a project realized in association with renowned Canadian ceramist Claude Vermette – a long time friend and collaborator of the artist. Mousseau and Vermette met in the 1940s at the College Notre-Dame de Montréal, where they attended the art classes of the influential Frère Jérôme Paradis. They became close to Paul-Émile Borduas and the members of the Automatist group, and Mousseau was a signatory of their 1948 vanguard manifesto Refus global. Vermette, only 16 at the time, entirely embraced the group's artistic ideal of emancipation, but was judged too young by Borduas to be a signatory. The association of these two like-minded creators was motivated by a shared commitment to transdisciplinarity and the common belief that art should be made accessible to all. One of their earliest projects, completed in 1958, was a ceramic mural commissioned by the College Notre-Dame de Montréal. The following year, an important exhibition of their works, entitled Opposition 1959, was held at Galerie Denyse Delrue in Montreal. Of all the duo's notable accomplishments, their most outstanding achievement is perhaps the 1966 Peel station project of the Montreal subway, which was originally comprised of 54 colourful ceramic circles integrated into the modernist architecture of the station.

A testimony to Mousseau's great talent, this vibrant work is exceptional in its size, composition and colour. It is an early and rare example of the fruitful collaboration between Mousseau and Vermette that lasted nearly 20 years.

This painting has been in the personal collection of Claude Vermette and Mariette Rousseau-Vermette since 1957 and is now offered at auction for the first time.

Please note: this work is comprised of seven sections, which have been assembled as intended by the artist and subsequently laid down on canvas.

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.