CAC RCA
1869 - 1937
Canadian
Old Man Cyr
charcoal on paper
signed twice, dated 1908 and 1909 and inscribed "Arthabaska" and "le père Esdras Cyr, 82 ans" and on verso titled variously on the gallery labels
14 1/2 x 11 1/2 in, 36.8 x 29.2 cm
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CAD
Sold for: $6,250
Preview at:
PROVENANCE
Harry Norton, Ayers Cliff, Quebec
Watson Art Galleries, Montreal
Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, Montreal
Peter Ohler Fine Art, Vancouver
Roberts Gallery, Toronto
Private Collection, Toronto
On verso there is a note from William Watson, of Watson Art Galleries: "This original drawing, secured by us from the collection of the late Harry Norton of Ayers Cliff, was made by Suzor Cote at Arthabaska, Que., in 1908 - 1909.
The sitter was old man Cyr who was a well-known character in the village, and was 82 years old.
A drawing (now apparently lost) was also made of Madame Cyr. In 1910 Suzor Cote modelled his famour pair "Old Pioneer and Wife" from these drawings. During the first drawing old man Cyr fell asleep, and Cote moved the drawing over and made another one. Ten sets of bronzes were cast."
Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté found inspiration not only in Quebec’s beauty, but also in its people and culture. He found the subject of this charcoal, Esdras Cyr, to be emblematic of that culture, and in his stoic dignity saw the character of the region surrounding his birthplace of Arthabaska. This sensitively observed in-situ portrait study became the basis for half of Suzor-Coté’s beloved bronze sculpture pairing, Le vieux pionnier canadien and La compagne du vieux pionnier. The drawing of Madame Cyr is believed to have been lost, making this a rare and intimate work.
All prices are in Canadian Dollars
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