Rare masterpieces by Renoir, Van Gogh and The Group of Seven are on display in Montreal at a free exhibition before the artwork goes to auction. There are works by great artists that any art lover knows, but whose work is rarely seen in person. For example, a canvas by French Impressionist painter Pierre-August Renoir is on display for the first time in Canada. It was in a private collection, hidden from view for 40 years. Art auctioneer Lydia Abbott of Cowly Abbot Auction House says valuable art can be found in unusual places. “We had a work by David Bowie that was discovered at a donation centre in Ontario that they purchased for $5, and we actually sold it for over $100,000!” she said. There is no David Bowie art this time, but the only etching Vincent Van Gogh ever made is on display. “Homme à la Pipe: Portrait du Docteur Gachet” is valued at $250,000. A Canadian beauty by Painter Emily Carr called “Wind” will likely go for much more, says fellow auctioneer Rob Cowley. “A 1936 canvas by Emily Carr tallied up between $500 and $700,000. Her work has commanded prices in the millions of dollars,” said Cowley. There is work from A.Y Jackson, Lawren Harris and Arthur Lismer of The Group of Seven to more contemporary artists like Newfoundlander David Lloyd Blackwood. “It is called ‘Fire Down on the Labrador,’” said Cowley. ”It’s actually one of the most valuable prints in Canadian history in terms of Canadian art.” A Norval Morisseau canvas from 1968 called Old Shaman is also on offer, and it’s been verified says Abbott. “Clients know, too, to look into authenticity and provenance, and with that, it should do very well in our sale,” said Cowley. They say art collectors sometimes consider masterpieces investments. “Unlike a stock, you can hang it on your wall and enjoy it, and if you’re collecting smartly, speaking to advisers and if you are doing your homework as well and focusing on works of rarity and quality, most often those are the works that that have stability in the long term and also have the opportunity to increase in value,” said Crowley. The exhibit is on until May 9 at the Eric Klinkhoff Gallery on Sherbrooke Street West. The auction is May 27.
