This collection of works by Paul Peel is a rare offering to the Canadian market, as the works have been held in the family of the artist for over a century. These items in particular were among Peel’s personal possessions. When Peel died in 1892, his wife and two children, Robert and Marguerite, moved to Chicago. They took the unsold paintings, easel and other items from Paris with them. His daughter Marguerite eventually moved to Laguna Beach, California, bringing these items with her.

The easel was made in Copenhagen and was used in Peel’s studio while he lived in Paris. In the accompanying photo of Peel in his studio, we can see the easel being used as he is in the process of painting The Modest Model (1889), which was exhibited at the Paris Salon that year. The same easel is perhaps depicted in the painting itself, as the feet of the easel appear to be the same shape. To the left of Peel’s head is his completed and framed painting Venetian Bather (1889), which was also exhibited at the Paris Salon that year. In another image of Peel in the studio with his son Robert Andre Peel, we see the easel and possibly his palette, featured in this lot, at the lower right of the image. Peel also depicted the easel in his painting of Madame Peel at the Easel with their daughter.

Also featured are Paul Peel’s mahl stick and palette. The palette was used by Peel and can perhaps be seen in the accompanying photo of the artist with his son Robert, in the lower right of the frame. The old dried paint was at some point scraped off. A mahl stick is a slender rod used by painters to steady the hand while making fine, detailed brush-strokes. The artist rests one end of the stick against the canvas edge or painting surface and the other against their hand or wrist, reducing fatigue and helping prevent accidental smudging of wet paint.

Peel’s nineteenth-century wooden plate box camera bears the manufacturer’s name on a plaque, H. Martin, with the inscription “Constructeur Breveté / Rue du Faubg St. Denis. 77 / Paris.”

Also included in this lot, not pictured, are volumes of a publication titled Masterpieces of French Art that belonged to the artist. Published by Gebbie & Co. in Philadelphia, the volumes contain numerous engraved reproductions of French paintings as well as text on French art history.

Please note: the easel measures 77 x 23 x 25 1/2 inches. The camera measures 6 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 8 inches. The mahl stick measures 42 inches long and 0 1/2 inches around. The palette measures 28 1/4 x 16 inches.

Please note that given the weight and dimensions of this lot, excess shipping fees may apply. Please contact Heffel Vancouver for a shipping quote or additional information.