Menu Create a Collector Profile

Maura by Christopher Pratt

Artwork by Christopher Pratt, Maura

Chris Pratt
Maura

pastel on paper
signed and dated 1972 lower right; titled on the reverse of the framing
7 x 13 ins ( 17.8 x 33 cms ) ( sight )

Auction Estimate: $5,000.00$3,000.00 - $5,000.00

Price Realized $4,720.00
Sale date: November 20th 2018

Provenance:
Acquired directly from the artist (early 1970s)
Private Collection, Halifax
Literature:
David Silcox and Meriké Weiler, Christopher Pratt, Toronto, 1982, page 126
Strong imagery was the priority for the refined drawing of the artist, however in many respects identity played an integral role in these works. Pratt explains: “You can't ignore the individuality of people or overlook the details that identify their separateness as arrogantly as you can ignore irregularities that make a wall or room particular.” The sinuous form of the woman captured in “Maura”, emerges from the shadows as the buttery yellow pastel employed highlights the curves and long lines of the body. The body, however, is uniquely Maura's. Her positioning is natural and relaxed and although the artist has explained that he has constructed women from his imagination for other works, naming the woman in the title of the piece gives autonomy back to the woman rather than being another nameless artist's model.

Share this item with your friends

Christopher Pratt
(1935 - 2022)

HighlightsWatch Artist

Christopher Pratt was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1935, but spent many boyhood summers in the Bay Roberts area where he now maintains a studio. He moved to New Brunswick in 1953 to attend Mount Allison University, trying several degree programs including biology and medicine. However, with the encouragement of instructors Alex Colville and Lawren Harris Jr. Pratt decided on fine arts.

It was at Mount Allison that he met Mary West. The couple married in 1957, then moved to Scotland where Pratt attended the Glasgow School of Art. Two years later, they returned to Mount Allison University, Sackville, where Pratt completed his fine arts degree. In 1961, Pratt accepted the position of curator at the newly opened Memorial University Art Gallery in St. John's. He remained at the gallery for two and a half years before deciding to concentrate on his painting full-time, moving his family to Salmonier, Newfoundland. Pratt has become one of Canada's best known and most respected artists, known for both meticulous serigraph prints and for powerfully evocative paintings.

In 1980, Pratt designed the Newfoundland flag. He was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1983 and has a number of honorary degrees from Canadian universities. Three books about Pratt are: Christopher Pratt; The Prints of Christopher Pratt: 1958-1991 and Christopher Pratt: Personal Reflections on a Life in Art. These feature reproductions of many of his works. Pratt's work is part of private and public collections including the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; the Owens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University and the Vancouver Art Gallery.