Canadian Fine Art Auction

November 24, 2014

LOT 104

Lot 104

THOMAS SHERLOCK HODGSON

THOMAS SHERLOCK HODGSON
Lot 104 Details
THOMAS SHERLOCK HODGSON

WHEELBARROW

watercolour on illustration board
signed and dated /52
25 ins x 32 ins; 63.5 cms x 81.3 cms

Estimate $5,000-$7,000

Realised: $5,900
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Provenance:

Private Collection, Toronto

Literature:

Iris Nowell, Painters Eleven: The Wild Ones of Canadian Art, Douglas & McIntyre, Toronto, 2010, page 1.

David G. Taylor, Tom Hodgson, catalogue, Lynnwood Arts Centre, Simcoe, Ontario, 1988, illustrated, fig. 5, page 13 alongside a black and white photograph from the artist’s collection, Wheelbarrow, 1952.

Exhibited:

Canadian Abstract Painters, Oshawa Art Society, 1952 (organized by Alexandra Luke).

Note:

In 1952, the year in which this work was painted, Hodgson earned a berth on the Canadian Olympic Canoe Team for the games in Helsinki. It was also the year in which the artist sold his first painting – a gouache exhibited in the eighteenth O.S.A. exhibition at the Art Gallery of Toronto. Alluding to the works of Willem de Kooning, Hodgson’s compositions meld abstract, architectural forms with his distinctive use of colour.

The forms within this watercolour modulate and move. David Taylor writes, “In 1951-1952, Hodgson’s painting changed in style. Instead of painting pure abstracts, he turned his attention to depicting natural subjects... He would first take a photograph and then make a painting (based on the snap-shot), distorting the original object. An example of this technique is Hodgson’s watercolour Wheelbarrow... Within those familiar shapes he has distorted almost everything... The composition becomes more complex, thus providing more interest for the eye.”

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 104
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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.