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LOT 002

AANFM RCA
1923 - 1999
Canadian

Miroir sans image #17
oil on canvas
on verso signed, titled and dated 1971
20 x 20 in, 50.8 x 50.8 cm

Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 CAD

Sold for: $46,250

Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave

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

LITERATURE
Constance Naubert-Riser, Jean McEwen: Colour in Depth, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 1987, page 48, a similar 1971 work entitled Le milieu éclairant – Miroir sans image reproduced page 101


Regarding Jean McEwen’s Miroir sans image (Imageless Mirror) series from 1971, Constance Naubert-Riser wrote that McEwen was painting “with the kind of chromatic abundance to be found in the work of Titian and Rembrandt. The dark, sumptuous quality of the deep reds, greens and browns, together with the use of varnish, imbues the colour of this series with a hitherto unattained depth.” McEwen used a painted frame to accentuate the depth of the central “mirror,” anchoring the work at the four corners with yellow squares. Within the central amorphous abstracted colour field, luminous red pigment flickers like fiery smoke over dark depths. As McEwen’s title makes clear, this is a mirror that does not reflect anything from the outside—it is about painting itself, plastic and sensuous. However, McEwen’s titles were poetic in nature, thus his colour “smoke” could activate our imagination in unexpected ways.

This painting and lot 1 in this sale were acquired directly from the artist by his doctor. The two were good friends and enjoyed dinner parties together.


Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 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.