FALL 2024 AND THE YEAR IN REVIEW
As we begin the New Year, we want to take a moment to reflect on what was a truly exceptional 2024 at Heffel. From groundbreaking auctions with new records for important artists to white glove sales across all areas of the market to the rediscovery of extraordinary paintings, this past year has demonstrated the vitality of the art market and the passion of collectors across the globe. It has been our privilege to celebrate these moments with collectors and colleagues, near and far. We are delighted to share some of the highlights that defined the year while looking ahead to an exciting 2025.
Historic Fall Auction
On the heels of our remarkable Spring 2024 live auction, our Fall auction was another defining moment of the year, with unearthed masterpieces and historic results capturing the attention of collectors worldwide. Leading the evening were a very special and rediscovered Emily Carr canvas and two masterful Tom Thomson oil sketches from the Collection of Torben V. Kristiansen.
An extraordinary piece of Canadian art history came to light with Emily Carr’s painting Masset, Q.C.I., whose remarkable backstory captivated the world. The work was hidden away for over a century before being purchased at a Hamptons barn sale and making its way to the Heffel auction block. Excitement surrounding the work was clear, not only at our previews but also at the auction itself, where bidding took off quickly and the powerful depiction of a memorial post in Haida Gwaii tripled its presale estimate. The sale marks a triumphant homecoming for the painting, which now reclaims its place as an essential chapter in Canada’s cultural history.
Due to Tom Thomson’s untimely death, his works are among the rarest and most coveted in Canadian art. It was a privilege to bring to market three outstanding Thomson paintings in the Fall auction, which dominated the evening. The results were led by two masterworks from the esteemed collection of Torben Kristiansen, Winter Morning and Tamarack Swamp, each of which surpassed the $ 2 million
mark, further exemplifying Thomson’s iconic status and Kristiansen’s exceptional eye.
The auction was also highlighted by works from prestigious Canadian collections, including that of Dr. Luigi Rossi, the Barbeau Owen Foundation and Extraordinary Eye, a major private collection from Vancouver. A remarkable five artist records were shattered in the fall sale, namely standout examples
by 7 IDAN suu James Hart, Frederick Varley, Kenojuak Ashevak, W.P. Weston and Bess Harris. The incredible results highlight the
Sold November 20, 2024 for $2,281,250
vibrant demand for Canadian art, showcasing the deep connection collectors have with these works and making this season one of the most exciting in Heffel history.
Connecting Coast to Coast
Over the past year, Heffel specialists embarked on a cross-country journey, visiting collectors in cities across Canada such as Winnipeg, Quebec City, Edmonton, Kelowna, Victoria, Saskatoon and Halifax. These visits are an essential part of our commitment to fostering relationships outside of our offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, sharing expertise and uncovering extraordinary works in every corner of the country.
We are excited to continue these travels in 2025 and meet with collectors to provide personalized advice, discover special artworks and deepen connections within communities nationwide. We look forward to visiting your region and sharing our passion for fine art.
A Year of Online Auctions
The year 2024 was remarkable for our online auctions, which continue to grow as an exciting and dynamic platform for both buyers and sellers, with industry-leading success rates and results. Some of our standout online auctions over the year included our inaugural auction
of Luxury Handbags, an exciting new category for Heffel, Important Wildlife Art from a Distinguished Collector, and more outstanding works from Legendary: The Collection of Torben V. Kristiansen. Throughout the year, we set new auction benchmarks for important artists in our online sales and achieved major results for important artists like Tom Thomson, Robert Bateman, Kenojuak Ashevak and many others.
Looking ahead, 2025 will bring a full slate of online sales, including Post-War & Contemporary Art, First Nations & Inuit Art, Pop Art Prints & International Graphics, Luxury Handbags, Asian Art, and so much more.
Representing Artists Across Canada
At Heffel, we take great pride in representing some of the country’s most respected contemporary artists as well as artist studios and estates. Last year, we were thrilled to host two fantastic sellout exhibitions of works by BC landscape painter Ross Penhall in Vancouver and Toronto. Both shows were incredibly successful, exemplifying continued demand for Penhall’s stunning works.
This year we are excited to continue working with incredible talents such as Martha Sturdy, the Estate of Joe Fafard, the David Blackwood Studio and the Dorothy Knowles Estate. Watch for exhibition announcements for Sturdy, Blackwood and Knowles and exciting celebrations of their work.
Supporting & Celebrating Canadian Art
Our commitment to Canadian art extends far beyond the auction room. In 2024, the Heffel Foundation proudly sponsored several
The Enchanted Owl
on paper, 1960 24 × 26 inches
Sold November 20, 2024 for $ 289,250
important exhibitions at museums across the country, including Tom Thomson: North Star at Whistler’s Audain Art Museum, Tōkaidō: Dreamscapes by Andō Hiroshige at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the wonderful River of Dreams: Impressionism on the St. Lawrence, which is on until February 2025 at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
We look forward to supporting more exciting exhibitions and initiatives that celebrate Canada’s rich artistic legacy this year, including the upcoming publication 7IDANsuu James Hart: A Monumental Practice, in collaboration with the Audain Art Museum, and the exceptional traveling exhibition Riopelle: Crossroads in Time, which opens at the Vancouver Art Gallery in March.
It has been wonderful to see Canadian art take centre stage internationally in Northern Lights, a major exhibition on now at the Fondation Beyeler in Switzerland. The show includes many outstanding works by our country’s great artists, highlighted by Lawren Harris’s masterpiece canvas Mountain Forms, which Heffel had the honour of selling in 2016 for the world record.
We are also thrilled to recognize a milestone in the art community—the launch of the Jack Bush Catalogue Raisonné. Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Stanners for this monumental achievement, which will be an invaluable resource for collectors, scholars and others in the art world.
Looking Ahead
We are now accepting artworks for our spring auctions, including:
Post-War & Contemporary Art
Canadian, Impressionist & Modern Art
International Graphics & Pop Art Prints
Asian Art and more
Heffel auctions are inclusive of international works of art
As we step into 2025, we are excited to build on the successes of the past year and continue bringing exceptional works of art to the forefront. Heffel’s Spring 2025 auction on May 22 is already taking shape, with important examples by Jean Paul Riopelle, Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes and members of the Group of Seven that promise to inspire collectors. We are still welcoming consignments for our Spring auction season and invite you to contact our specialists to review your collection and provide complimentary auction estimates. The deadline to consign to our Spring auction is February 28.
Whether you are looking to grow your collection, explore options for finding new homes for your works, or simply engage with the art world in new ways, we are here to support your journey every step of the way.