Canadian Art

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Lot 43
  • 43

William Ronald 1926 - 1998

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 CAD
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Description

  • William Ronald
  • Orchard
  • signed, titled, dated 1/10/71 and inscribed Toronto on the reverse
  • oil on canvas
  • 198.2 by 152.4 cm.
  • 78 by 60 in.

Provenance

Aquired directly from the artist
Private Collection, Princeton, New Jersey

Literature

Iris Nowell, Painters Eleven, The Wild Ones of Canadian Art, Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver, 2010 p. 69.

Catalogue Note

The year 1957 marks a radical and sustained shift in Ronald's colour palette and composition. At this time, he and his wife moved to New Jersey and he credits his new approach with colour to inspiration found in a nearby gladiola garden. His wife described the garden as "a riot of colour".  Ronald's colour muse found its way into his palette which became explosive, brilliant and, in a word, riotous. This earlier influence is clearly visible in the celebratory palette of Orchard. 

This work similarly reflects a shift in compositional preference seen in Ronald's work by the 1970s. This is the central oval figure supported by a chromatic palette of amorphous shapes. Orchard is a bold affirmation of Ronald's accrued creative confidence and his lifelong commitment to vibrant expression.