signed lower right; signed, titled and dated August 1979 on the reverse
12 × 15 in (30.5 × 38.1 cm)
Auction Estimate:$12,000 - $15,000
Sale date:November 19 - 28, 2014
Price Realized
$13,800
(including Buyer's Premium)
Provenance
Roberts Gallery, Toronto
Private Collection, Ontario
Literature
Megan Bice, “The McMichael Canadian Art Collection”, Kleinburg, 1989, page 105
Dennis Reid, “A Concise History of Canadian Painting,” Toronto, pages 177 and 179
Casson's lifelong commitment to Ontarian subject matter made him deeply familiar with the land and enabled him to expertly render the subtlety of the landscape. As is evident in “Rapids on the Oxtongue River”, “his interpretation of the subtle variations of summertime green has become a trademark of his work.” The distinct seasons in Ontario meant that Casson's environment was constantly changing, providing him with ample inspiration even without leaving the province as did many of his contemporaries.
Oxtongue River is located on the southwestern edge of Algonquin Park in Ontario. This area was frequented by Group of Seven members who embarked on both collective and independent sketching trips. As a result, Algonquin Park and the surrounding area has become an iconic visual reference in Canadian Art History.
