Atelier William Kurelek stamp lower right; inscribed “Jean-Louis” and “#352” on the reverse
24 × 16 in (61.0 × 40.6 cm) (sheet)
Auction Estimate:$4,000 - $6,000
Sale date:December 3, 2020
Price Realized
$3,840
(including Buyer's Premium)
Provenance
The Isaacs Gallery, Toronto
Collection of Don Jean-Louis, British Columbia (acquired from the artist through trade)
From the collection of Don Jean-Louis. The original backing paper - retained in a plastic sleeve on frame verso - describes it as a gift- exchange with William Kurelek in Don Jean-Louis’ handwriting. Anecdotally, Jean-Louis said that the exchange came about after a sketching trip the two took together.
The gouache is strongly related to the 160 works of Kurelek’s “Passion of Christ” series, now in the collection of Niagara Falls Art Gallery and Museum, although a slightly different proportion; higher and narrower, whereas the “Passion” series are between 51-55 cm high x 48 cm wide.
Related “Passion” drawings are held by Library and Archives Canada. The frame is most likely original to The Isaacs Gallery, and therefore possibly exhibited at the time.
We extend our thanks to Dr. Ihor Holubizky for researching this artwork and for contributing the preceding essay.
