Canadian Art

I n 1967, Sotheby’s held its first auction outside the United Kingdom in Toronto, Canada, bringing Old Master, Impressionist, and Modern works across the Atlantic and establishing a long‑standing relationship with the Canadian art market. Since then, Sotheby’s has continued to represent Canadian collectors and artists at the highest level, achieving landmark results across every tier of the category, including the record price for a Canadian painting at auction with Paul Kane’s Scene of the Northwest.

Sotheby’s has expanded its focus on private sales of exceptional Canadian art, placing important works by the Group of Seven, Les Automatistes, Les Plasticiens, Painters 11, and major Canadian artists such as Cornelius Krieghoff, James Wilson Morrice, Clarence Gagnon, Emily Carr, and Alex Colville. This shift has provided collectors with discreet and trusted access to the global market, supported by Sotheby’s international expertise.

Today, the Sotheby’s Toronto office continues to serve collectors throughout Canada, offering access to Sotheby’s global salesrooms in New York, London, Paris, and Hong Kong. Through curated private sales, international auction opportunities, and specialist guidance, Sotheby’s connects Canadian art with a worldwide network of collectors and ensures exceptional results for consignors and buyers alike.