19 x 21.25 in (48.3 x 54 cm) including frame
Twisted Pines, Grace Lake, La Cloche (circa 1930) is a quintessential example of Franklin Carmichael’s devotion to the unique topography of the La Cloche hills. The composition centers on a group of weather-beaten jack pines, their trunks contorted into rhythmic, serpentine shapes that echo the undulating white quartzite ridges of the background. Through the screen of trees, the viewer looks out over the distant expanse of Grace Lake, framed by rolling purple and blue hills under a vast, cloud-filled sky.
For Carmichael, the watercolour medium was a primary vehicle for artistic expression rather than a secondary study. He was a founding member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour and is widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient practitioners in the medium's history in Canada. In this work, his mastery is evident in the delicate layering of transparent washes and the precise, controlled handling of the brush. He uses the white of the paper to suggest the stark, reflective quality of the La Cloche rock, while subtle gradations of green and ochre define the sparse vegetation clinging to the shoreline.
The location of Grace Lake held profound significance for Carmichael; he built a family cabin in the area and returned to its distinctively pale, ancient landscape year after year. While other members of the Group of Seven traveled widely, Carmichael’s most profound works were often those that focused on the intimacy and clarity of the La Cloche region. This watercolour captures the "spirit of place" that defined his mature career, presenting the northern landscape with a refined sense of design and an emphasis on the elegant, architectural lines of the natural world.
Estate of the artist, by descent,
Private Collection, Ontario
Cowley Abbott, Toronto
Private Collection, Winnipeg
Carmichael estate inventory # JRM-2017-56
(Includes Buyer's Premium)
Franklin Carmichael
In 1911 Franklin Carmichael left his hometown of Orillia, Ontario and moved to Toronto so that he might pursue his interest in art at the Central Technical School and the Ontario College of Art. Later, he was employed by the commercial art firm Grip Ltd. and, subsequently, at Rous and Mann. Except for a brief period when he studied art in Belgium, Carmichael worked continuously in the field of commercial art until 1932. Following that time he accepted a position as Head of Graphic Design and Commercial Art at the Ontario College of Art, a position that allowed him to devote more of his time to painting. Georgian Bay, the North Shore of Lake Superior, and the Mattawa region were places around Ontario that Carmichael sketched. In later years the La Cloche Hills area north of Georgian Bay became both a favourite painting location and the site of the family cottage. His La Cloche paintings depict the rolling hills, glistening lakes, and dramatic skies so characteristic of the region.
Major Spring Fine Art Auction
May 7 - May 28, 2026
661 Wall St, Winnipeg MB
(204) 255-5690
mayberryfineart.com
[email protected]
Contact us to make an appointment to preview this item or to sell similar works.
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Bidding Range
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Increment
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|---|---|
| $0.00 - $50.00 | $1.00 |
| $50.00 - $100.00 | $5.00 |
| $100.00 - $500.00 | $10.00 |
| $500.00 - $1,000.00 | $25.00 |
| $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 | $50.00 |
| $5,000.00 - $10,000.00 | $100.00 |
| $10,000.00 - $20,000.00 | $200.00 |
| $20,000.00 - $50,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $50,000.00 - $100,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| $100,000.00+ | $5,000.00 |
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