Featured Would love opinions on this pastel (?) sketch, Canadian impressionist style

Thank you! That's at least a bit promising

 

G

Got a response from this gallery, unfortunately they said it wasn't expertise that they offer and they weren't interested in the business of other galleries or auction houses . Oh well, I'm not sure who else to contact, I'll have to keep looking!

 

Try to find an academic who has expertise with that painter and see if you can contact him/her directly. Or a curator of a recent-ish exhibition of the artist's work. These museum and gallery responses are what's to be expected. (As you can imagine, they're sure to get many similar inquiries.)

Debora

 

Here's what AI responded when I asked about a catalogue raisonné.

"A comprehensive, formal catalogue raisonné for Canadian artist Clarence Gagnon (1881–1942) is not widely listed as a single published volume. However, his work is extensively documented through retrospectives, in-depth studies, and archival work by his widow. Key resources include a 2006 retrospective catalogue and studies on his illustrations and intaglio prints.
VLB éditeur +4
Key Resources & Documentation

• Hélène Sicotte Research: Art historian Hélène Sicotte is a primary source for documented Gagnon research, including a 2006 retrospective.
• Archival Documentation: After Gagnon's death in 1942, his wife, Lucile Rodier-Gagnon, catalogued and numbered over 670 of his sketches (pochades).
• Intaglio Prints: A catalogue raisonné of his intaglio prints exists, documenting this significant aspect of his career.
• Retrospectives: The 2006 exhibition and associated catalogue are essential for studying his late Impressionist works and winter scenes.
• Biographical Source: Detailed biographical information and lists of his work can be found via the National Gallery of Canada."

For instance, these two authors might be interested in seeing what might be an undiscovered sketch.

SICOTTE, HELENE and MICHELE GRANDBOIS. Clarence Gagnon 1881-1942: Dreaming the Landscape. Quebec: Les Editions de l'Homme, 2006. Pp. 431. ISBN 2-7619-2208-5.

Debora

 

Thanks, this is great! They will be next on my list then.

 

Can't find her contact details, but ..
Anne Newlands wrote 'Clarence Gagnon: An Introduction to His Life and Art' and worked as a researcher-writer and educator at the National Gallery of Canada
https://www.fireflybooks.com/BookDetails?Pid=881

She also contributed to the Journal of Canadian Art History of the
Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Institute for Studies in Canadian Art
https://www.concordia.ca/research/jarislowsky/jcah/contributors.html
Contacting them might be useful canadianartinstitute@concordia.ca

 

Thank you! I will add her to my list . I was also looking at Freemanart.ca, a paid service for art investigation. Has anyone ever used them?

 

meaning no offence , but what did you ask of them ,,to get a response like this..

".they said it wasn't expertise that they offer and they weren't interested in the business of other galleries or auction houses"

 

Hum... Good question.

Debora

 

I was very polite and said I was hoping for some expert advice about this sketch. I gave them the same kind of info I gave here. I mentioned that I got it from an auction house but there wasn't much info or provenance given. I thanked them in advance for there time. That's basically it.

 

...maybe the way you framed your question to them , turned them off..??

 

No idea, I don't believe I framed it in any way that would have turned anyone off but each to their own I guess.