Colville masterpiece shatters artist record at Heffel's virtual live auction

• Bidders around the world participate virtually in Heffel's semi-annual live auction, breaking five artist records
• Alex Colville's exceptional Dog and Bridge sets a new record for the artist, and surpasses $2.4M
• Pablo Picasso, Joan Mitchell and Jean Paul Riopelle masterpieces included among the evening's highlights

TORONTO, July 15, 2020 /CNW/ - International art auction house, Heffel held its semi-annual live auction today, where 112 outstanding works of art were presented to a virtual audience. Hundreds of bidders participated remotely from around the world, as the sale was broadcasted live from Toronto's Design Exchange. Highlighted by some of the biggest names on the global art radar, including Alex Colville, Pablo Picasso, Joan Mitchell and Jean Paul Riopelle, the record-setting sale totaled $15.3 million. (All prices are in Canadian dollars and include a buyer's premium.)

A new record was achieved for the internationally acclaimed Canadian icon Alex Colville, with his masterpiece, Dog and Bridge, which sold for $2,401,250. The 1976 painting is among the most outstanding and recognized examples by the War artist to ever come to market. This was the work's first-ever appearance at auction, as it had been in private hands for decades.

"Presenting a masterpiece as special as Colville's Dog and Bridge was a highlight for Heffel, and we're thrilled that our excitement was matched by our bidders'," says David Heffel, President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. "This sale, and all of the incredible works on offer proved that even during times of change, art continues to inspire and provide a beacon of light."

Highlights from the Spring 2020 Live Auction

• Alex Colville's highly anticipated Dog and Bridge outperformed its estimate of $800,000 to 1,200,000 and sold for an incredible result of $2,401,250 at the Heffel sale, a new world record for the artist at auction.
• Canvases by Pablo Picasso are among the most sought-after works in the global art market. His 1939 Tête de femme was consigned from a prominent Montreal collection and sold tonight for an impressive $1,321,250 (est. $1,200,000 ? 1,600,000).
• Major works by Abstract Expressionist painter Joan Mitchell have captured the auction spotlight around the world in recent months. Competition for Mitchell's oil on canvas triptych, Untitled drove its sale price to $1,171,250 (est. $400,000 ? 600,000).
• Yvonne McKague Housser's rare and lively canvas, Town of Cobalt is a standout example from her career and an important piece of Canadian art history. The painting shattered the previous artist record and sold for more than four times its presale estimate, totalling $205,250 (est. $30,000 ? 50,000).
• Numerous works by Jean Paul Riopelle were led by the commanding and largescale Le réveil, which sold for $1,201,250 (est. $1,000,000 ? 1,500,000). Other impressive results were achieved for Portail no. 2, which sold for $361,250 (est. $150,000 ? 250,000) and Lianes, which sold for $253,250 (est. $200,000 ? 300,000).
• Five significant works by Lawren Harris, spanning the majority of his career, performed well in the Heffel auction. His spectacular North East Corner of Lake Superior (Lake Superior Sketch XXXVIII) fetched $481,250 (est. $250,000 ? 350,000) and LSH 89A, vibrant painting from his period of abstraction, fetched $277,250 (est. $150,000 ? 250,000).
• Five impressive artist records were achieved in Heffel's spring auction, including the sale of A Face Facing a Face by Ron Martin for $97,250 (est. $40,000 ? 60,000), Totems, Alert Bay by W.J. Phillips for $157,250 (est. $30,000 ? 40,000) and Venice from a Postcard by Harold Town for $67,250 (est. $20,000 ? 30,000).

Heffel is currently accepting consignments for the fall 2020 auction season, inclusive of international works of art.

For more information on the works included in Heffel's spring live auction, visit www.heffel.com.

About Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Heffel has sold more Canadian art than any other auctioneer worldwide, with sales totaling more than half a billion dollars since 1978. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary, Heffel has the most experienced team of fine art specialists in Canada and provides superior client service to both sellers and buyers internationally.

SOURCE Heffel Fine Art Auction House