The AGO is selling 20 paintings from legendary Group of Seven artist
The Art Gallery of Ontario will soon be selling paintings from its collection from legendary Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson to make room for new pieces from underrepresented artists.
“The AGO is engaged in an important strategic review of its collection. As part of the review, we are identifying areas for growth to meet the needs of our current and future audiences,” Andrea-Jo Wilson, spokesperson for the AGO, told Daily Hive.
As part of the review, the AGO will begin removing works of art from its collection this spring, including 20 pieces from A.Y. Jackson – an artist Wilson says is exceptionally well represented in the AGO’s collection.
After removing Jackson’s pieces, the AGO will still have 148 works by the Canadian artist in its collection.
A.Y. Jackson’s Vimy Ridge from Souchez Valley, 1917, Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario
Galleries and museums across Canada will have the opportunity to purchase the 20 paintings chosen for removal at a preferential rate, says Wilson.
The proceeds from the sales will go toward purchasing future pieces of art, and in this case, Wilson says the proceeds will be used to acquire new work for the gallery’s Indigenous and Canadian collection.
However, after the galleries and museums pass on purchasing the pieces, the remaining works will be put up for a public auction. So if you’ve been dying to own a coveted piece from a Group of Seven artist, this might be your chance.
A.Y. Jackson’s The Pimple, Evening, 1918, Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario
While no specific pieces have been chosen to replace Jackson’s pieces as of yet, Wilson says the gallery’s strategy is to “acquire works by artists who have traditionally been underrepresented in art museums.”
Jackson was a founding member of the Group of Seven and is known for painting seasonal Canadian landscapes.
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