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.