Arthur Lismer Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Arthur Lismer Art Value Price Guide

Sep. 03, 2026
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), UNTITLED (A WORKING BULL)
Est: $300 - $350
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) UNTITLED (A WORKING BULL) PENCIL SKETCH; INITIALED 'AL' LOWER RIGHT Sight 5.3 x 8.3 in — 13.5 x 21.1 cm Estimate: $300—350 CAD
Waddington's
Jul. 09, 2026
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), UNTITLED (PINE TREE)
Est: $400 - $500
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) UNTITLED (PINE TREE) LITHOGRAPH; SIGNED IN PENCIL LOWER RIGHT Image 8.8 x 6.3 in — 22.4 x 16 cm Estimate: $400—500 CAD
Waddington's
Jun. 25, 2026
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), QUEBEC VILLAGE, CA. 1926
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), Canadian QUEBEC VILLAGE, CA. 1926 ink on wove paper signed and initialed lower left; titled and dated to gallery labels verso; estate stamp verso 9.5 x 12.5 in — 24.1 x 31.8 cm Estimate: $2,000—3,000 CAD
Waddington's
Apr. 15, 2026
Arthur Lismer, Canadian (1885-1969), Untitled - Forest, ink and wash, 6 x 9 in. (15.2 x 22.9 cm.)
Est: $900 - $1,200
Arthur Lismer Canadian, (1885-1969) Untitled - Forest ink and wash signed
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Feb. 05, 2026
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), SIDE PORTRAIT OF A MAN
Est: $400 - $600
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) SIDE PORTRAIT OF A MAN GRAPHITE DRAWING; INITIALED 'AL' TOP LEFT Sight 11 x 8 in — 27.9 x 20.3 cm Estimate: $400—600 CAD
Waddington's
Jan. 29, 2026
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), UNTITLED (CHILDREN PAINTING), 1935
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), Canadian UNTITLED (CHILDREN PAINTING), 1935 mixed media on paper laid on mat board signed and dated "35" lower right sight 16.25 x 20.5 in — 41.3 x 52.1 cm Estimate: $2,000—3,000 CAD
Waddington's
Nov. 15, 2025
Attributed to Arthur Lismer - “Cottage by the Sea” - Original Oil on Reeves Dalston Canvas Board (12" x 16")
Est: $1,500 - $1,750
Presented here is a captivating and idyllic original oil painting on board, attributed to Arthur Lismer (1885–1969), a founding member of Canada’s celebrated Group of Seven. Titled “Cottage by the Sea,” this evocative piece beautifully captures a quaint whitewashed thatched-roof cottage nestled along a rugged coastal path, bordered by a stone wall and wildflower-laced garden. In the distance, rolling green hills and a gentle blue sea stretch beneath a lightly clouded sky, immersing the viewer in the peaceful serenity of Canada’s Atlantic or possibly British countryside. The painting is executed with confident, expressive brushwork and rich impasto, showcasing Lismer’s distinctive, gestural approach to form and color. The artist’s deft use of texture can be clearly seen in the thickly applied paint on the rocky foreground and the rhythmic curvature of the roof. Close-up images confirm strong, deliberate brushstrokes and a mastery of composition indicative of Lismer’s mature period. Of special note is the rare and revealing verso of the artwork: a detailed graphite underdrawing on the reverse of the original Reeves “Dalston” canvas board, featuring figural sketches of a seated man, a standing woman in a bathing suit, and a beachside setting with a boat on the horizon. These preparatory studies offer collectors unique insight into the artist’s process and lend further credibility to the Lismer attribution. The reverse label identifies the canvas board as manufactured by Reeves & Sons Ltd., London, with a calendar date consistent with the 1930s–1940s period. The painting remains in very good vintage condition, with stable paint and no evidence of overpainting or significant damage. There are expected minor surface irregularities and natural aging to the board. The original hand-painted wood frame (16" x 20") complements the rustic charm of the composition and is in good structural condition, showing only light wear consistent with age. Dimensions: Image size: 12" x 16" ; Frame size: 16" x 20". Works by Arthur Lismer outside of his known Canadian landscapes are increasingly rare, especially with figural studies present on the reverse. While unsigned, the composition, palette, subject matter, and materials align with Lismer’s lesser-seen works from his Atlantic sojourns and European travels. Paintings attributed to Lismer - particularly those with accompanying sketches - are highly sought after by collectors of Group of Seven works and Canadian fine art.
Oakwood Auctions
Nov. 12, 2025
ARTHUR LISMER (CANADIAN, 1885-1969)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
"River Landscape" Charcoal sketch Signed lower rightH. 9 1.2" x W. 13 1/2"
A. H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals
Aug. 06, 2025
Arthur Lismer, Canadian (1885-1969), Untitled - Forest, oil on board, 18 x 14 in. (45.7 x 35.6 cm.)
Est: $15,000 - $20,000
Arthur Lismer Canadian, (1885-1969) Untitled - Forest oil on board signed
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
May. 08, 2025
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), HALIFAX HARBOUR IN WARTIME: PATROL VESSELS
Est: $300 - $350
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) HALIFAX HARBOUR IN WARTIME: PATROL VESSELS LITHOGRAPH; INITIALED A.L. IN IMAGE LOWER RIGHT; SIGNED IN PENCIL LOWER RIGHT; TITLED TO LABEL VERSO Image 11.5 x 17.3 in — 29.2 x 43.9 cm Estimate: $300—350 CAD
Waddington's
Apr. 30, 2025
Arthur Lismer, Canadian (1885-1969), Big Spruce Forest, BC, oil on panel, 16 x 12 in. (40.6 x 30.5 cm)
Est: $12,500 - $17,500
Arthur Lismer Canadian, (1885-1969) Big Spruce Forest, BC oil on panel signed and on verso signed, titled, and dated '59
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Apr. 02, 2025
ARTHUR LISMER (CANADIAN, 1885-1969)
Est: $500 - $700
Mine Sweepers at Sea Lithograph Signed bottom left H. 12" x W. 18"
A. H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals
Apr. 01, 2025
ARTHUR LISMER (CANADIAN, 1885-1969)
Est: $36,000 - $40,000
Algoma Lake Oil on board Signed to reverseH. 9" x W. 12" Provenance:: Private Ontario Collection; Saint Laurent Art Galleries (Ottawa)
A. H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals
Feb. 22, 2025
AFTER ARTHUR LISMER CANADIAN COMPOSITION PAINTING
Est: $100 - $150
After Arthur Lismer, English Canadian, 1885 to 1969, an oil painting on masonite depicting a seashore compositions with various objects. Signed and dated 1961 lower left. Framed. Arthur Lismer was a painter, member of the Group of Seven and educator. He is known primarily as a landscape painter and for his paintings of ships in dazzle camouflage. Canadian Paintings And Art Collectibles.
Antique Arena Inc
Jan. 30, 2025
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), SEASCAPE, 1962
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), Canadian SEASCAPE, 1962 oil on board signed and dated "62" lower left; titled verso 16 x 20 in — 40.6 x 50.8 cm Estimate: $10,000—15,000 CAD
Waddington's
Jan. 30, 2025
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), SOUTH AFRICA, 1936
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), Canadian SOUTH AFRICA, 1936 mixed media on paper signed, titled, and dated lower left sight 13.75 x 19.25 in — 34.9 x 48.9 cm Estimate: $2,500—3,500 CAD
Waddington's
Dec. 05, 2024
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), FOREST, BC
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) FOREST, BC INK AND WASH DRAWING; SIGNED LOWER LEFT; SIGNED AND TITLED TO LABEL VERSO AND NUMBERED 4 IN PENCIL Estimate: $2,000—2,500 CAD
Waddington's
Nov. 28, 2024
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), UNTITLED (B.C. FOREST INTERIOR), 1963
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), Canadian UNTITLED (B.C. FOREST INTERIOR), 1963 oil on plywood signed and dated "63" lower left; signed lower centre Estimate: $10,000—15,000 CAD
Waddington's
Oct. 10, 2024
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), UNTITLED (TREES), 1961
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Arthur Lismer, OSA, RCA (1885-1969), Canadian UNTITLED (TREES), 1961 signed and dated "-61" lower left Estimate: $1,500—2,500 CAD
Waddington's
Oct. 03, 2024
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), UNTITLED (HUNTER WITH ANIMALS)
Est: $150 - $200
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) UNTITLED (HUNTER WITH ANIMALS) INK SKETCH ON PAPER; UNSIGNED Estimate: $150—200 CAD
Waddington's
Oct. 03, 2024
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), UNTITLED (FISHING VACATION)
Est: $300 - $400
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) UNTITLED (FISHING VACATION) CHARCOAL SKETCH ON PAPER; INITIALED LOWER RIGHT Estimate: $300—400 CAD
Waddington's
Oct. 03, 2024
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969), FAT & FULL
Est: $300 - $400
ARTHUR LISMER, OSA, RCA (CANADIAN, 1885-1969) FAT & FULL CHARCOAL SKETCH; INITIALED, TITLED AND DATED Aug 1933 LOWER RIGHT Estimate: $300—400 CAD
Waddington's
May. 30, 2024
Arthur Lismer (1885 - 1969) Canada/England
Est: $3,500 - $5,500
Arthur Lismer (1885 - 1969) Oil on canvas board, signed lower left, measures 12 x 16 inches and 18 x 22 inches w. frame. Arthur Lismer was born in Sheffield, England in 1885. He apprenticed there as an engraver* for seven years. During his apprenticeship, at the age of 15, he became an illustrator for the Sheffield Independent. He studied at the Sheffield School of Art (1898 - 1905) and in Belgium at the Antwerp Academy (1906-07). Lismer came to Canada in 1911 where he was employed as an engraver at David Smith and Co. in Toronto. He later moved to the Grip company where he met other future members of the Group of Seven*. He first visited Georgian Bay in 1913 and in 1914 made the trip again with Tom Thomson. He became one of the founding members of the Group of Seven in 1920. Lismer taught at the Ontario College of Art from 1915 and was principal at the Nova Scotia College of Art, Halifax from 1916 to 1919. He returned to Toronto to become vice principal of the Ontario College of Art from 1920 to 1927. He was an authority on child art and was the founder of children's classes at the Art Gallery of Toronto where he was educational supervisor. He was involved in education at the National Gallery of Canada and later taught at McGill University. He painted landscape in northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, the St. Lawrence, the Gaspe, Newfoundland, and the Rocky Mountains. In his later years he exhibited at the Dominion Gallery.
Cutler Bay Auctions
Apr. 30, 2024
Arthur Lismer (1885 - 1969) Canada/England
Est: $3,500 - $5,500
Arthur Lismer (1885 - 1969) Oil on canvas board, signed lower left, measures 12 x 16 inches and 18 x 22 inches w. frame. Arthur Lismer was born in Sheffield, England in 1885. He apprenticed there as an engraver* for seven years. During his apprenticeship, at the age of 15, he became an illustrator for the Sheffield Independent. He studied at the Sheffield School of Art (1898 - 1905) and in Belgium at the Antwerp Academy (1906-07). Lismer came to Canada in 1911 where he was employed as an engraver at David Smith and Co. in Toronto. He later moved to the Grip company where he met other future members of the Group of Seven*. He first visited Georgian Bay in 1913 and in 1914 made the trip again with Tom Thomson. He became one of the founding members of the Group of Seven in 1920. Lismer taught at the Ontario College of Art from 1915 and was principal at the Nova Scotia College of Art, Halifax from 1916 to 1919. He returned to Toronto to become vice principal of the Ontario College of Art from 1920 to 1927. He was an authority on child art and was the founder of children's classes at the Art Gallery of Toronto where he was educational supervisor. He was involved in education at the National Gallery of Canada and later taught at McGill University. He painted landscape in northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, the St. Lawrence, the Gaspe, Newfoundland, and the Rocky Mountains. In his later years he exhibited at the Dominion Gallery.
Cutler Bay Auctions
Apr. 27, 2024
ARTHUR LISMER ( Canadian 1885 - 1969 ) A Northern Town
Est: $500 - $700
ARTHUR LISMER ( Canadian 1885 - 1969 ) A Northern Town
Westbridge Fine Art Auction House
Apr. 17, 2024
Arthur Lismer, Canadian (1885-1969), Washington Zoo, ink sketch, 8 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (21.6 x 29.2 cm.)
Est: $700 - $900
Arthur Lismer Canadian, (1885-1969) Washington Zoo ink sketch initialled A.L. and dated 1958.
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Mar. 24, 2024
Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) Canadian, Ink Drawing
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) Canadian, ink drawing titled: Georgian Bay off Lake Huron. Provenance: Comes from the important ex board member of the Ontario Museum of Art. His purpose and goal was to acquire the finest Canadian Artists, and both of these Lismer paintings were acquired directly from Walter Klinkhoff Gallery in Montreal. Purchased with his wife who we imagine is still living. From a living estate where the collector's wife acquired the pieces with her late husband directly from Walter himself at Walter Klinhoff Gallery. The husband was also a student of Lismer and a personal friend. Lismer was one of the original internationally acclaimed members of Canada's Group of Seven, also known as the Algonquin School. They were landscape painters founded in 1920. This inked landscape work looks across the Georgian Bay. Lismer utilized excellent linework to accentuate the scene and differentiate the shadow from the light. Artist Signed, Lower Right. Stamp of originality verso. Dated 1945, Back. Provenance: Walter Klinkhoff Gallery, Montreal. Overall Size: 30 3/4 x 25 in. Sight Size: 19 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. Frame Thickness: 1 1/2 in. #1286 Arthur Lismer was born in Sheffield, England in 1885. At the age of 15, while he apprenticed as an engraver, he became an illustrator for the Sheffield Independent. He studied at the Sheffield School of Art (1898 - 1905) and in Belgium at the Antwerp Academy (1906-07). In 1911, Lismer came to Canada where he was employed as an engraver at David Smith and Co. in Toronto. Lismer was fascinated by the Canadian landscape of rocks, pines, and expansive stretches of tumultuous water and sky. Lismer painted landscapes in northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, the St. Lawrence, the Gaspe, Newfoundland, and the Rocky Mountains. In his later years he exhibited at the Dominion Gallery. From 1920 Lismer was a charter member of the Group of Seven, painters who advocated a new Canadian art that expressed the spirit of the nation through its landscape. Throughout his life he was a dedicated painter and draftsman and visionary teacher. Lismer joined his fellow artists on painting trips to the Algoma region and north shore of Lake Superior. In 1928 he painted in the Rockies and from 1930 in the Atlantic provinces. His Impressionist-influenced paintings of the 1910s evolved into a more angular and cruder expression that he equated with the Canadian terrain and national identity. In his later work, Lismer concentrated on detailed foregrounds and tightly framed, close-up compositions of vegetation and land formations.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Mar. 24, 2024
Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) Canadian, Watercolor
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) Canadian, framed watercolor titled Lake Superior. Signed in the lower right. One small tear near the bottom middle (see image 11). Provenance: Comes from the important ex board member of the Ontario Museum of Art. His purpose and goal was to acquire the finest Canadian Artists, and both of these Lismer paintings were acquired directly from Walter Klinkhoff Gallery in Montreal. Purchased with his wife who we imagine is still living. From a living estate where the collector's wife acquired the pieces with her late husband directly from Walter himself at Walter Klinhoff Gallery. The husband was also a student of Lismer and a personal friend. Lismer was one of the original, internationally acclaimed members of Canada's Group of Seven, also known as the Algonquin School. They were a collective of landscape painters founded in 1920. This work beautifully captures a bright and windy day overlooking the waves of Lake Superior. Lismer uses white to show contrast of the surf with the varying shades of blue to give the water depth and variation. Artist Signed, Lower Right. Stamp of originality verso. Dated 1935, Back. Provenance: Walter Klinkhoff Gallery, Montreal. Overall Size: 27 x 24 3/4 in. Sight Size: 16 1/2 x 13 3/4 in. Frame Thickness: 1 in. #1287 Arthur Lismer was born in Sheffield, England in 1885. At the age of 15, while he apprenticed as an engraver, he became an illustrator for the Sheffield Independent. He studied at the Sheffield School of Art (1898 - 1905) and in Belgium at the Antwerp Academy (1906-07). In 1911, Lismer came to Canada where he was employed as an engraver at David Smith and Co. in Toronto. Lismer was fascinated by the Canadian landscape of rocks, pines, and expansive stretches of tumultuous water and sky. Lismer painted landscapes in northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, the St. Lawrence, the Gaspe, Newfoundland, and the Rocky Mountains. In his later years he exhibited at the Dominion Gallery. From 1920 Lismer was a charter member of the Group of Seven, painters who advocated a new Canadian art that expressed the spirit of the nation through its landscape. Throughout his life he was a dedicated painter and draftsman and visionary teacher. Lismer joined his fellow artists on painting trips to the Algoma region and north shore of Lake Superior. In 1928 he painted in the Rockies and from 1930 in the Atlantic provinces. His Impressionist-influenced paintings of the 1910s evolved into a more angular and cruder expression that he equated with the Canadian terrain and national identity. In his later work, Lismer concentrated on detailed foregrounds and tightly framed, close-up compositions of vegetation and land formations.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Jan. 13, 2024
ENGLISH LANDSCAPE OIL PAINTING BY ARTHUR LISMER
Est: $100 - $150
Arthur Lismer, English, Canadian, 1885 to 1969, oil painting on canvas depicting a landscape with a tree, 1942. Signed and dated, lower left. Framed. Arthur Lismer was an English Canadian painter, member of the Group of Seven and educator. He is known primarily as a landscape painter and for his paintings of ships in dazzle camouflage. Lismer was a charter member of the Group of Seven, and joined his fellow artists on painting trips to the Algoma region and north shore of Lake Superior. In 1928 he painted in the Rockies and from 1930 in the Atlantic provinces. His Impressionist influenced paintings of the 1910s evolved into a more angular and cruder expression that he equated with the Canadian terrain and national identity. In his later work, Lismer concentrated on detailed foregrounds and tightly framed, close up compositions of vegetation and land formations. One of a kind artwork.
Antique Arena Inc
Oct. 25, 2023
Arthur Lismer, Canadian (1885-1969), Washington Zoo, ink sketch, 8 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (21.6 x 29.2 cm.)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Arthur Lismer Canadian, (1885-1969) Washington Zoo ink sketch initialled A.L. and dated 1958
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Sep. 09, 2023
Arthur Lismer (Canadian, 1885-1969) Lake in Woodland Setting
Est: $250 - $350
Arthur Lismer (Canadian, 1885-1969) Lake in Woodland Setting
Westbridge Fine Art Auction House
Jun. 20, 2023
Lismer, Arthur - Abstraction
Est: $500 - $1,000
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Abstraction Description: Drawing on paper, initialled on lower left A.L. Dimension (PO): 11 3/4" x 4" Dimension (CM): 30 x 10 cm Condition report: Traces of glue and inscription at the top
Champagne Auctions
Apr. 29, 2023
Arthur Lismer - Lake in Woodland Setting
Est: $200 - $300
ARTHUR LISMER RCA, OSA, CSPW ( Canadian 1885 - 1969 )
Westbridge Fine Art Auction House
Apr. 25, 2023
Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) 'Shore line Georgian Bay', signed and d
Est: €5,000 - €7,000
Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) 'Shore line Georgian Bay', signed and dated lower right '52 [1952], oil on panel, 30,5 x 40,5 cm
Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Mar. 28, 2023
Lismer, Arthur - Étude d'iguane
Est: $700 - $900
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Étude d'iguane Description: Ink on paper, signed on upper left A. Lismer, seal on the back A. Lismer Dimension (PO): 7" x 9 1/2" Dimension (CM): 17.8 x 24.5 cm Condition report: Slightly crumpled paper
Champagne Auctions
Nov. 16, 2022
Arthur Lismer, CC RCA LL.D, Canadian (1885-1969), Rock, Pine, Sunlight, poster, 19 3/4 x 23 1/2 in. (50.5 x 60 cm)
Est: $150 - $250
Arthur Lismer, CC RCA LL.D Canadian, (1885-1969) Rock, Pine, Sunlight poster
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Oct. 26, 2022
Arthur Lismer, Canadian (1885-1969), Rock and Pool, Georgian Bay, oil on panel, 12 x 15 in. (30.48 x 38.10 cm.)
Est: $15,000 - $20,000
Arthur Lismer Canadian, (1885-1969) Rock and Pool, Georgian Bay oil on panel signed and dated '44
Maynards Fine Art & Antiques
Oct. 25, 2022
Lismer, Arthur - Groupe d'un album de croquis
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Groupe d'un album de croquis Description: Ink on paper, signed on lower right A. Lismer, labels of Galerie Michel de Kerdour and Walter Klinkhoff Provenance: Lapidarius, Montreal Dimension (PO): 11 1/4" x 15 1/4" Dimension (CM): 28.5 x 38.7 cm Condition report: Upon request, We will gladly answer all your inquiries in a detailed manner.
Champagne Auctions
Oct. 25, 2022
Lismer, Arthur - Une veillée à l'auberge
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Une veillée à l'auberge Description: Pencil on paper, signed on lower left A. Lismer, label of Galerie Michel de Kerdour Provenance: Lapidarius, Montreal Dimension (PO): 11 1/4" x 14 1/2" Dimension (CM): 28.5 x 36.8 cm Condition report: Upon request, We will gladly answer all your inquiries in a detailed manner.
Champagne Auctions
Jun. 28, 2022
Lismer, Arthur - Seascape
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Seascape Description: Oil on canvas panel, signed on lower left A. Lismer Dimension (PO): 15'' x 20'' Dimension (CM): 38.1 x 51.8 cm Condition report: Upon request, We will gladly answer all your inquiries in a detailed manner.
Champagne Auctions
Sep. 18, 2021
Arthur Lismer (British/Canadian, 1885)
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
Arthur Lismer (British/Canadian, 1885-1969) , "On the Sackville River", 1919, oil on board, signed lower left, pencil-titled and inscribed "To M. Rosenberg / from / AL / Halifax 1919" en verso, 9 in. x 12 in., framed. Provenance: Property of the Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL, sold to benefit their Collections, Care and Acquisitions Fund. [A]rt is the normal and rightful heritage of every individual Arthur Lismer Note: The painting offered here, entitled On the Sackville River, by Arthur Lismer (one of the founding members of the Canadian artist collective The Group of Seven) depicts an expressionist landscape rendered with thick, dramatic brushstrokes. In the center of the work a burst of red and orange foliage saturates the foreground, obscuring the view of the shore and buildings in the background where one can almost discern the steeple and shape of a church. The composition, highly focused on the central blaze-like flare of oranges and reds, is visually reminiscent of the Halifax Explosion which took place two years prior - its wild, uncontrolled blast consuming the surrounding shores. The explosion, a momentous event that resulted from the collision of the SS Mont-Blanc, carrying explosives, and the SS Imo, a Norwegian relief vessel, decimated nearly all buildings within a half mile radius of the blast in Halifax Harbour. Over 2,000 people were killed with about 9,000 injured. Lismer, who fortuitously stayed home in Bedford on that day, avoided the disastrous melee and wrecked train on which he would have ridden. He later completed a series of sketches of the destroyed harbour and surrounding areas from the event, which were published in the Canadian Courier and in the Stanley K. Smith book Drama of the City. Such a significant occurrence undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Lismers psyche, and one wonders if the haunting memories of that devastating time are impressed upon this scene. Inscribed en verso, this painting is dedicated by Lismer to his friend and colleague - To H. M. Rosenberg from AL. Artist Henry Mortikar Rosenberg was the principal of the Victoria School of Art and Design (now the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design) until 1910. The explosion and the creation of this painting happened during Lismers own tenure as the schools principal from 1916-1919. The painting was later donated, along with Rosenbergs own extensive collection of works, to the Mobile Museum of Art. Ref.: Cronin, Ray. When the War Came Home. Halifax Magazine. Nov. 28, 2017, www.halifaxmag.com. Accessed July 27, 2021
Neal Auction Company
May. 01, 2021
Arthur Lismer, England/Canada 1885-1969, goose study and shell study, two sketches on paper: pen and ink and pencil, 10 3/4"H x 14"W (shell), 5 1/4"H x 8"W (goose)
Est: $200 - $400
Arthur Lismer England/Canada, 1885-1969 goose study and shell study two sketches on paper: pen and ink and pencil Tear to left edge of paper shell sketch. From Ask Art: As an immigrant from England, Arthur Lismer was fascinated by the Canadian landscape of rocks, pines, and expansive stretches of tumultuous water and sky. From 1920 he was a member of the Group of Seven*, painters who advocated a new Canadian art that expressed the spirit of the nation through its landscape. Throughout his life he was a dedicated painter and draftsman and visionary teacher. Lismer attended the Sheffield School of Art in the evenings on a scholarship (1898 - 1905) and during the day apprenticed at a photoengraving firm. In 1906 he studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp. He returned to Sheffield, where he worked in a commercial art studio before moving to Canada in January 1911. Hired at the commercial art firm Grip Limited, and later at Rous & Mann, in Toronto, he met fellow artists J.E.H. MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, and Tom Thomson (1). In 1913 he went on his first painting trip to Georgian Bay with his wife, Esther, and their baby daughter, and in 1914 to Algonquin Park. In 1916 Lismer became principal of the Victoria School of Art and Design (now the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) in Halifax. In 1917 an explosion in Halifax Harbour destroyed large sections of the city (2). Lismer captured the aftermath of this catastrophe in a series of drawings first published in the Canadian Courier. In 1918 he was commissioned by Canadian War Records to record returning troopships in Halifax Harbour in paintings and in lithographs. In 1919 he moved back to Toronto and became vice-principal of the Ontario College of Art (OCA). Lismer was a charter member of the Group of Seven, and joined his fellow artists on painting trips to the Algoma region and north shore of Lake Superior. In 1928 he painted in the Rockies and from 1930 in the Atlantic provinces. His Impressionist-influenced paintings of the 1910s evolved into a more angular and cruder expression that he equated with the Canadian terrain and national identity. In his later work, Lismer concentrated on detailed foregrounds and tightly framed, close-up compositions of vegetation and land formations. Lismer resigned from OCA in 1927 and became supervisor of education at the Art Gallery of Toronto (now the Art Gallery of Ontario). He became a leading figure in child art education working in Toronto, South Africa, New York, and Montreal, where he moved in 1940. He taught at the Art Association of Montreal (now the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts) from 1940 until 1967. A retrospective exhibition of Lismer's work was organized by the Art Gallery of Toronto in 1950. The following year he travelled to Long Beach, Vancouver Island, where he spent summers for the rest of his life, and where the ocean and dense forests provided a new landscape to sketch and paint. Source: The National Gallery of Canada.
Ripley Auctions
Mar. 09, 2021
Lismer, Arthur - Croquis de canard
Est: $200 - $300
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Croquis de canard Description (FR): Crayon sur papier, signée en bas au centre A. Lismer Description (EN): Pencil on paper, signed on center bottom A. Lismer Dimension (PO): 8" x 10" Dimension (CM): 20.32 x 25.40 cm Rapport de condition: Sur demande, nous nous ferons un plaisir de répondre à vos questions de manière détaillée. Condition report: Upon request, We will gladly answer all your inquiries in a detailed manner.
Champagne Auctions
Mar. 09, 2021
Lismer, Arthur - Croquis de cheval
Est: $200 - $300
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Croquis de cheval Description (FR): Crayon sur papier, signée en bas à gauche A. Lismer Description (EN): Pencil on paper, signed on lower left A. Lismer Dimension (PO): 8" x 10" Dimension (CM): 20.32 x 25.40 cm Rapport de condition: Sur demande, nous nous ferons un plaisir de répondre à vos questions de manière détaillée. Condition report: Upon request, We will gladly answer all your inquiries in a detailed manner.
Champagne Auctions
Nov. 28, 2020
Attr. Arthur Lismer Ink Wash Portrait Sketch
Est: $100 - $15,000
Attr. Arthur Lismer Ink Wash Portrait Sketch. Arthur Lismer Cc Rca (canadian 1885-1969) Portrait Of A Woman Signed A.l. 7" X 8 1/2"
Kavanagh Auctions
Sep. 17, 2020
ARTHUR LISMER, O.S.A., R.C.A., QUEBEC UPLANDS, 1925, oil on panel, 13 ins x 16 ins; 33 cms x 40.6 cms
Est: $25,000 - $35,000
ARTHUR LISMER, O.S.A., R.C.A. QUEBEC UPLANDS, 1925 oil on panel signed and dated '25; signed and titled on the reverse 13 ins x 16 ins; 33 cms x 40.6 cms Provenance: Atlas Construction Co. Ltd. Collection Galerie Claude Lafitte, Montreal Private Collection, Toronto Exhibited: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 11 Artists in Montreal: 1860-1960 The painting appears to have been created alla prima—from the Italian “at once”—meaning that it was made in a single session, without allowing the oil paint to dry between layers. Often, alla prima works are made in front of the subject itself, which suggests that this might be a panel made during one of Arthur Lismer’s exploratory painting trips into the Canadian landscape rather than in his studio. Lismer laid his brushstrokes down on top of a burnt sienna ground; the underpainted layer peeks through in several places, notably the sky. There is a wonderfully vivacious quality to this section, as if Lismer was so caught up in the moment that he had to dash it down before it eluded him. One imagines the painter rapturously gazing upwards as the clouds scud across the sky, trying to capture a precise moment in time. This painting was created in 1925, the midpoint of the Group of Seven’s formal partnership. Several other depictions of the Quebec countryside were completed in the same year, five of which are held in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Lismer had gone on an expedition with A.Y. Jackson and ethnologist Marius Barbeau, travelling to several Quebec villages around the St. Lawrence River in August of that same year. It was on this trip that Lismer found inspiration for his iconic Quebec Village (Saint-Hilarion), which was shown at the Art Gallery of Toronto in 1926 and featured on a postage stamp in 2020 to celebrate the centenary of the inaugural Group of Seven exhibition. Indeed there are resemblances between these two paintings: both share a similar palette with an emphasis on vivid blue skies, rolling hills and fence posts that eagerly pull the eye towards the heart of the composition. Estimate: $25,000–35,000
Waddington's
Feb. 25, 2020
Arthur Lismer - Isles of Spruce - Wartime Sampson Matthews Silkscreen
Est: CAD300 - CAD600
Arthur Lismer - Original Group of Seven Member - Titled: Isles of Spruce - Wartime Sampson Matthews Silkscreen Size: 30 inches x 40 inches
Region Fine Art
Oct. 29, 2019
Lismer, Arthur - Croquis de cheval -
Est: $400 - $600
Lismer, Arthur (1885-1969) Croquis de cheval () Crayon sur papier, signée en bas à gauche A. Lismer Pencil on paper, signed on lower left A. Lismer 8" x 10" - 20.32 x 25.40 cm Rapport de condition: Sur demande, nous nous ferons un plaisir de répondre à vos questions de manière détaillée. Condition report: Upon request, We will gladly answer all your inquiries in a detailed manner.
Champagne Auctions