News
May 27, 2010

Lawren Harris Sells for $2.8 Million

Bylot Island I

A Lawren Harris Arctic landscape Bylot Island I, an oil on canvas painted in the early 1930s, sold for $2.8 million (including the 17 per cent buyer premium) at Heffel’s auction of Canadian art held at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Wednesday May 26th.  It fetched the fourth-highest price ever for a Canadian painting sold at auction.

“An Arctic Lawren Harris is one of the rarest commodities in the Canadian art world,” said David Heffel, president of Heffel auction house.  “Most of those reside in public institutions today so for one to turn up in a private collection and come back into the market is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for bidders.”

Bylot Island I was put up for auction by an anonymous private collector who said proceeds will be donated to charities throughout Canada.

The auction netted about $21.8 million, which made it the second highest-grossing auction in Canadian history.

Source:  Vancouver Sun, May 27, 2010