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 Canvas by Arthur Villeneuve. Signed lower right ” A Villeneuve 11 60.37 ” Assume this means that is was done in November 1960 and was number 37 in a show.  The number “37″ is written on the frame on the back. Wonderful Quebec Village scene in typical, Villeneuve, abstract, three-dimensional style. Frame is period wooden baked, high gloss black. 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.

Glorious Italian lake-scape with ruins, fishermen and villagers by C. Ticcino. A fabulous pair of oils on wood panels. 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. Frame is carved wood and gesso. A charming pair of oils. Painting in excellent condition.

Pastel on brown artist’s paper by Paulémile Pissarro.  A harbour scene with merchant sailing boats. The master of pastel, signed lower left “Paulémile – Pissarro”. COA signed by Katia Pissarro, dated (?) Beautifully mounted with textured linen and gold inner filet. Pastel is mounted to inner, emerald green matt. Frame is wood with gold raised, carved pattern. Framer used plexiglass to save weight. Excellent condition.

Watercolour by Paulémile Pissarro, signed lower right in pencil. Entitled: “Pommiers eu fleurs à Vancoeuil Eure”. Circa 1940. Recently reframed with modern, wooden frame, gold leaf. Excellent condition

Pastel on artist paper by Paulémile Pissarro. Rare winter scene. Expertly drawn with all the subtlety of pastel. Signed by the artist, Paulémile Pissarro in pastel, lower left. Circa 1950′s early ’60s. Linen type off-white matt with inner fillet.

“Perriers rivière”. Watercolour on art paper on board. Signed “Paulémile Pissarro” lower left. Excellent gold leaf frame double dimensional matting with linen & gold, wood bezel. Tiny tear in paper just below signature – see picture.

Pastel on artist’s paper by Paulémile Pissarro.  A pretty orchard scene with woman and village in the background. Master of pastel, signed lower left “Paulémile -  Pissarro -”. COA signed by Katia Pissarro, January 2, 1986. Nicely mounted with textured, linen matt with inner gold wood fillet. Frame is wood with gold and brown wash over raised, carved pattern. $4,200. Excellent condition. Frame size: 20.25″ W x 19″ H. Pastel size: 10.5″ W x 9″ H. Wt 4 lb. 1.9 kg.