The Butterfly, 1957

Private Collection, Ontario By descent to a Private Collection, British Columbia Waddington's, auction, Toronto, 21 November 2016, lot 99 Estate of Robert Noakes

Joyce Zemans, "Jock Macdonald: 1897-1960," Ottawa, 1985, reproduced page 45, pages 7, 24 Joyce Zemans, "Jock Macdonald: Life & Work" [online publication], Art Canada Institute, Toronto, 2016, page 61

Jock Macdonald’s teaching commitments at the Ontario College of Art, Toronto, during the mid-1950s left him with limited time for painting. However, art historian Joyce Zemans notes that during the summer of 1956, Macdonald was able to fully dedicate himself to his art. It was during this period that he discovered DUCO, a material that allowed him to paint with greater fluidity, though it came with a significant downside—the product had a strong odour that made Macdonald feel sick, forcing him to work with his windows wide open. He continued experimenting with DUCO until fellow artist Harold Town introduced him to Lucite 44, which offered the same fluidity without the unpleasant smell. Zemans describes Lucite 44 as “fluid and fast-drying,” which allowed Macdonald to work in oil on canvas or masonite. In 1957, Macdonald created "The Butterfly," inspired by a watercolour and ink piece of the same name that he had painted a year earlier. He was able to achieve nearly the same effect in this new medium. Macdonald himself remarked that “using Lucite with oil allowed me to paint with a flow and speed, but without being careless.” Zemans also recounts that in January 1958, the renowned New York art critic Clement Greenberg, a mentor to many Color Field painters, praised Macdonald’s recent work, saying it was “reaching the highest levels.” "The Butterfly" emerged from this pivotal period in which Macdonald experienced newfound creative freedom.