Canadian Fine Art Auction

November 21, 2016

LOT 47

Lot 47

WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.

WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.
Lot 47 Details
WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.

DOG & ROCK, 1963

oil on masonite
titled and dated on the reverse
18.25 ins x 22.5 ins; 45.7 cms x 55.9 cms

Estimate $40,000-$60,000

Realised: $45,600
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.
  • WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.
  • WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.
  • WILLIAM KURELEK, R.C.A.
Provenance:

The Isaacs/Innuit Gallery, Toronto
Private Collection, Ontario

Note:

In 1957, William Kurelek converted to Roman Catholicism (he had previously been an atheist), and soon after returning to Canada, became involved with the Catholic Information Centre in Toronto. The conversion of others to Catholicism and the salvation of souls through his art became a personal mission. In May 1963, at his third exhibition at the Isaacs Gallery entitled, “Experiments in Didactic Art,” Kurelek first showed religious and so-called instructive works (They were often in the spirit of sixteenth century artist Pieter Breugel’s parables). From here on in, his goal was to alternate a secular series of work with a religious or instructive series. In February of that year, he had made his first trip to Western Canada to document the places where he had grown up. These studies would provide a rich source for his work.

Kurelek set Dog and Rock on the family farm in rural Manitoba, a place that held special significance for him and served as a setting for secular and didactic works alike. The painting, which features the family dog investigating a large, solitary rock may be based on Kurelek’s recollection of a real occurrence from his past. The animal’s prints in the snow indicate that it has made a sudden ninety degree turn to the left, deviating from his path alongside the fence, probably having caught a whiff of something interesting. Apart from a few dead weeds that protrude from the snow, there is little that breaks the vast, barren plain—accentuated by the high horizon line and the fence which runs unbroken to meet it. It is no wonder that the dog was drawn to the rock like a magnet. Kurelek’s keen observation and penchant for detail have captured the essence of winter on the prairies and the behaviour of man’s best friend.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 47
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.