Lot 59
  • 59

Jean-Paul Lemieux 1904 - 1990

Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 CAD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Jean-Paul Lemieux
  • Soir d'Hiver Sur La Rue Dickson
  • signed lower right; titled on the stretcher
  • oil on canvas
  • 23.5 by 92 cm.
  • 9¼ by 36¼ in.

Provenance

Trépanier Baer Gallery, Calgary
Waddington & Gorce Inc., Montréal
Private Collection, Toronto

Catalogue Note

Not infrequently during his career, Lemieux adopted this panoramic format for his paintings. Although such a elongated shape was always something of a challenge, and one rarely used by other painters, Lemieux always used it to surprisingly good effect.

La Rue Dickson, circa 1970 is certainly a successful example of Lemieux's ability to compress and organize a great deal of essential information into this eccentric but congenial rectangle. The deep recession of the street is accomplished by the use of light and darkness, of shadow and anecdote. While nothing is in finely chiselled detail, we still can see a surprising amount: the car coming up the street, the pedestrians out walking their dogs, and the tented driveways that are such a common sight in Quebec City's winter.

Like many nocturnes, this one by Lemieux is both dramatic and mysterious. We cannot see everything but we are invited to imagine what sorts of lives one might find on Dickson Street, what is happening in the houses, what the street would look like in daylight, and what the street will look like when winter loses its dark and icy grip.