Alex Colville’s Running Dog Sells Amid Otherwise Tepid Bidding

 

Runningdogw

Running Dog, 1968

Mixed signals were sent to the Canadian art market on Monday when 47 out of 226 lots failed to sell at Sotheby’s/Ritchies Canadian art auction in Toronto. But records were set for several items, including Alex Colville’s Soldier Girl at Station going for $664,750. And Colville’s Running Dog (1968) print found a new home for $4,200, plus buyer’s premium of 20%.

Colville, known for his stark realism, is said to see life as “inherently dangerous.” When I look at his work, I don’t always feel the “anxiety of our times” that he describes. To me, Hound in Field (1958) is simply joyous: grass peaking through snow, a promise of spring, and a dog, nose to the ground, doing what he loves…

Houndinfield

Hound in Field, 1958

And Stove (1988) is just too lovely for words…

Stove

Stove, 1988

See more of Colville’s work at and read about the brilliant 86-year-old Nova Scotia artist at CyberMuse. To purchase one of his prints or paintings contact his representation at Mira Goddard Gallery.

Alex Colville’s official website.

Comments

One response to “Alex Colville’s Running Dog Sells Amid Otherwise Tepid Bidding”

  1. B Avatar
    B

    I know the man, his views stem from a prolonged illness in his youth (when he actually developed his great talent) and his horrific experiences as a war painter (If you’re familiar with those works, imagine staring at the real scene for weeks on end and shading the skeletal hollows on a starved corpse).
    As a result he chooses to live a secluded life in rural Nova Scotia and most of his post-war work reflects the idealic beauty of very every day scenes.

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