signed and dated 1946 lower centre; signed, titled and dated 1946 on a label on the reverse
12 × 16 in (30.5 × 40.6 cm)
Auction Estimate:$20,000 - $30,000
Sale date:November 18 - 25, 2015
Price Realized
$20,700
(including Buyer's Premium)
Provenance
Canadian Fine Arts, Toronto
Private Collection, Ontario
Literature
Peter Mellen, “The Group of Seven”, Toronto/Montreal, 1981, pages 124, 128 and 134
One of the first and favourite sketching grounds for Lismer and the Group of Seven was Ontario's Georgian Bay. “Many of the island and headlands were nothing more than bare rocks with a few weather-beaten trees clinging to them... In this harsh terrain they could live up to their image as intrepid outdoorsmen, exploring the wild northland while braving the rigours of its climate.” By 1946, Canada had a newfound sense of confidence because of the role it played in several significant victories during WWII. Lismer was an official wartime artist, and undoubtedly approached the rugged Canadian terrain with a reawakened perspective after the war.
In “Tumbled Rocks”, Lismer uses rich earthy tones with thickly layered paint to capture the ruggedness of the typical Georgian Bay landscape. While the rocks dominate the canvas, the shoreline is visible in the bottom right side of the painting and the deep blue skyline appears at the very top through the leaning trunks of trees. Moss and vegetation grow in tufts, patches and winding tendrils in the crevices between rocks and climbing the trees. Mellen writes that “Lismer's fascination with Georgian Bay goes back to his first visit...in 1913.” The painter would return for years after to perfect his style, producing some of his most celebrated artworks.
