An oil sketch by Tom Thomson — who grew up in Leith — has sold for nearly two million dollars at a Sotheby’s auction in Toronto.
It is a new record for the iconic Canadian artist.
The vibrant panel, entitled `Pine Trees at Sunset,’ depicts the silhouettes of three spindly trees set against a blazing sunset.
Dated to about 1915 or 1916 — it was estimated to sell for between 900 thousand and 1.1 million dollars.
After a protracted bidding war, it sold for 1.95 million — including buyer’s premium, to applause from the well-heeled audience.
Thomson paintings have been hot commodities lately – another of his entitled `Tamarack Swamp went for 1 million dollars at a Vancouver auction on May 22nd.
Yet another is expected to fetch seven figures at the Joyner Waddington auction in Toronto today.
