Fille avec au Parapluie Noir sur la Pont Neuf, Paris. Girl with black umbrella on the Pont Neuf Bridge, Paris. Oil on canvas by François Gall. An elegant woman on a bridge over the river Seine. The painting is difficult to shoot.  It’s more subdued and a bit darker than most. Gall was obviously trying to capture the cloudy, rainy day, hence the umbrella and the shadows on her face. The canvas is not in perfect shape – some crazing and slightly loose on the stretcher. Thin paint, tiny canvas buckle upper centre, a bit dirty and unvarnished. However, it’s a wonderful Gall that is so “Paris” in the period of the 1950s. I have a letter from his daughter, Marie-Lise Gall explaining the painting and dating it 1950. Frame is painted carved wood with motley painted texture that shows wear but still quite serviceable. The inner frame is missing some paint. I’ve tried my best to photograph it as it looks.

An Artist’s Proof bronze, “The Hand” with black patina. Attributed to Fernando Botero. Signed and numbered: “E/A Botero 6/12″ with the foundry mark just above his signature: “Fondoria M Italy”. Purchased from a dealer in Columbia and brought to Canada in 2002. The piece speaks of Botero’s creativity that shows the strength and power of the human being. A fine example of his work that shows subtly and grace created from the lost wax technique in bronze from a foundry. Remarkable work in excellent condition. No COA or paperwork.

The Hitch-Hiker. Mixed media, egg tempura on masonite board by Fred Ross, C.M., LL.D., R.C.A., one of Canada’s leading figurative painters. The model for this painting in Fred’s son Christopher who came into the studio one day and put on the overcoat and the top hat which Fred interpreted into this painting. C. 1975. Signed “Fred Ross” upper right. Framed in wood with a greyish, specked finish. Inner fillet painted white. Excellent condition.

Oil and casein tempura on masonite by Fred Ross R.C.A. Signed and dated: “Fred Ross 1956″. This is a staggeringly interesting piece. I won’t try to define it here but suggest you read the written description in the book about Fred Ross, “A Timeless Humanism” by Tom Smart. You’ll notice that the boy is on the far side of the window sill but on the inside of the frame in which he is standing. Also the monkey is threading beads from the bottom upwards. The front of the scull is floating. Fred’s wife’s name, Sheila, is carved into the frame to the left of the boy’s head. Why is there an owl on his shoulder, a piece of rope hanging from the frame and a wish bone also hanging on the frame? Things to ponder when you enter this remarkable painting. This was a part of Max Stern’s collection, owner of the Stern Gallery and Dominion Gallery in Montreal.The frame is gold leaf with some red streaks and spackle.  There is a green velvet inner frame to further set the painting apart from the gold colour. Astonishing. Excellent condition. Museum quality.

Huge acrylic, chalk and collage on Masonite panel.  Another masterpiece by Fred Ross R.C.A. Entitled: “Artist in Studio” with Judith as the nude model.  It’s a fascinating piece of work in that it’s a self portrait with the artist facing us with a nude in front of him facing away from the viewer. Fred has his left foot resting on the divan that she is lying upon. Also there is an easel with another nude paining on it.  That small painting is signed: “Fred Ross” in the upper right corner and the main painting is signed: “Fred Ross’ in the extreme lower right corner. Two signatures – quite unique. Next to the artist is a spike of light coming in from a window that sheds light on the subjects from right to left – otherwise it’s a very dark room. The label is from Gallery Walter Klinkhoff stating: “Artist in Studio – Acrylic, chalk and collage 52″ x 42″ Fred Ross”  The label also has the Klinkhoff seal that gives this painting its COA. The frame is wood with gold leaf and three grey key lines as a border. There is an inner lined raised fillet that sets the painting away from the frame. Spectacular – a powerful artist’s statement and in perfect condition. Museum quality.

Oil on panel by H.W. Wagner, listed Canadian artist 1889-1948. Collectors have many of his works. He did a lot of painting in Algonquin Park. This is two paintings in one. There is an oil sketch on the back with a very dark colour pallet suggesting a late day attempt at capturing the rocks and stream – it’s well done although not complete. I guess he decided to do a new painting on the other side of the panel. It is mounted in a previously used frame as there is an inscription on the back that says “Port du Collioure, France. Collioure is a coastal resort is Mediterranean Sea just North of Spanish border”. The frame is wood with a hand  washed finish in dusky grey. Excellent condition.

Oil on board by Maurice Verrier c. 1955. Showing a very blustery day at harbour side where boats are tethered due to bad weather. Shows strong pallet knife and brushwork. Signed “Verrier” lower right in black paint. Period painted, white-washed wood frame. Shows wear but looks good with this rugged painting. Inner linen tapered, mitred matt. Painting in  excellent condition.

Oil on board by Maurice Verrier c. 1955. Capturing a vase of flowers with a minimalist colour pallet. Signed “Verrier” lower right. Outstanding, custom period painted wood and gesso frame. Also outer wooden frame painted gold. Overall in excellent condition with normal wear. Frame corners are slightly spread, easy fix.

“Bierbaum and Figures” by C. Ticcino. Fabulous pair of oils on wood panels. Glorious Italian river-scape with homesteaders. Signed “C. Ticcino” lower right. Description to the reverse “C. Ticcino – BIERBAUM AND FIGURES IN CONVERSATION, BY A LAKE WITH BOATS”, A pair of complimentary oil paintings on panels, the former signed lower right and titled to the reverse. Frame needs some minor repairs or leave as is. It’s old and original. A charming pair of oils. Painting in excellent condition.

Large oil on board. Paulémile Pissarro.  The flowering apple tree.  This is a famous tree with the Pissarro family.  Many of the Pissarros painted it.  Collect a few of them and you’ll be rich. Master of oil, signed lower left “Paulémile -  Pissarro” in oil.  Frame is modern wood with lots of relief in gold raised, carved pattern. Inner fillet is vinyl linen and gold wood.  Excellent condition.

“Vergillon Soleil”. Large oil on canvas by Paulémile Pissarro. This is a fabulous landscape. Master of oil, signed lower left “Paulémile – Pissarro 1922″ in oil. The title “Vergillon – Soleil” is inscribed on the back stringer by Paulémile and is also signed “Paulémile  Pissarro”. A label states that Pissarro did not partake in the Salon in Paris during the years 1920, 1921, 1922. The frame was recently refinished (I had it done in about 1995) with gold leaf and a hand wash to tone it down. It’s on wood with lots of relief in a raised, carved pattern – very fitting. COA from the Pissarro family. Awesome! Excellent condition.

“Celebration of Life” is a small version of the life-sized one at the Grand Wailea Hotel on Maui, Hawaii. Bronze, custom patinated sculpture by Kenneth Shutt. Signed and dated: ” 33/40 Shutt 91″. Ken Shutt was a resident of Hawaii for 25 years before moving back to California. He invented the white patina on this sculpture and they are produced in very limited editions – this one being number 34 of 40. On a three tier, black marble base with white flecks inherent. Perfect condition.

Bathers at Pond. Oil on Panel by Manzana Pissarro. Circa. 1940. Swimming Pond. Subjects are (believed to be) his expectant wife and children. Signed lower right “Manzana Pissarro”. Modern frame and inner matting. Art and frame in excellent condition. I have a COA from the Pissarro family authenticating this amazing painting.

“Bouquet de roses et marguerites” Oil on Canvas by Katia Pissarro, wife of Claude Pissarro. It’s quite naive and rather beautiful. Expressive brush strokes and loads of paint give it a big, natural texture. Signed” Katia Pissarro” from the painter’s pallet, lower left. Frame is modern with dark and lighter areas – quite fitting. I have two COAs and Appraisal in hand. One from Katia herself and one from Bruce A. Capra, certified Appraiser’s Guild of America. Perfect condition.

Oil on Canvas. Pablo O’Higgins. He studied under Diego Rivera in the 1930s and ’40s. Fishermen with Onlooker. Painted wooden frame with gold leaf. Matt shows natural wear and slight soiling. Painting has a nice loose brush style and is in excellent condition. Museum label on reverse “Instituto Nacional De Bellas Artes” ‘Museo Nacional De Arte Moderno”. “Oleo Sobre Tela”, 55.5 x 75 cms. Lot #22. Wonderful Mexican, ocean, rural life scene. Circa 1940.