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McMaster Gallery and custom framing provides

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Restoration of artwork, frames and photos

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located in Dundas Ontario (see map)

 

ANOTHER LAWREN HARRIS PAINTING!!!

Emerald Lake

DUNDAS APPRAISER DISCOVERS ANOTHER LAWREN HARRIS PAINTING!!!

Bert Dorpmans' business partner, Stephen Landers, received a telephone call from Toronto last December 2008, it was regarding another potential unknown Group of Seven gem.

Artist Guennadi Kalinine accompanied Dorpmans to the GTA home and they were elated with the new find. Sure enough, the painting, entitled "Emerald Lake" was another 12 x 15 inch oil painting bearing the artist's signature, Lawren Harris, on the lower left hand side.The artist's description and price of $70.00 were on the reverse side of the panel. Dorpmans credits this amazing discovery to the press coverage he received in the Hamilton Spectator and Toronto Star. The front page news of Harris' "Nerke Greenland" which fetched over 2 million dollars, including buyers premium, was the catalyst which led the owners to venture forward.

The mountain scene depicting Yoho National Park's famous Emerald Lake was acquired by the owners mother in the mid 1950's. The oil painting was purchased from the custodian, who was in charge of the now famed Studio -building. The son and daughter-in-law contacted McMaster Gallery and we were delighted to appraise and represent their consignment at Sotheby's for their upcoming May auction sale.

The "Emerald Lake" painting is an oil sketch of British Columbia's mountains and was likely painted circa 1924. "When painter's went into the woods or up to the Far North, it wasn't practical to take canvases along. Instead, they carried small panels of wood or hardboard on which they painted rough drafts, or sketches. Later back in the studio, they would select some to turn into large paintings on canvas." "Many collectors and connoiseurs value sketches more highly than the so-called finished paintings, which often lack the conciseness and imediacy of the drafts"

Dorpmans was pleased his clients opted to consign with him, particularly when estimates are often exceeded at auction. This particular lot's estimate is $125-175,000, and is very likely to double it's pre-sale estimate. Dorpmans is hoping for the potential of another bidding war to occur, pending media exposure and the fact these field sketches are highly sought after by collectors and investors alike.

Five years ago, Dorpmans found a dry-point etching by David Milne. " Much to my disbelief I found in a shoe-box, in an attic, this early etching entitled Inlet by a Pond." This elderly client was overjoyed with the monetary reward of $30,000 Cdn.,which was another record price for a Milne print at auction; second highest price for a print in a Canadian auction. McMaster Gallery and it's staff are excited to showcase this latest discovery on our web-site.

We are pleased to offer our services of art appraisal, conservation and art-restoration combined with museum-standard custom picture framing.