James Edward Hervey MacDonald 1873 - 1932

Private Collection, Ottawa

Paul Duval, The Tangled Garden, Scarborough, 1978. p. 141

This work is in excellent condition. Under UV, there is a small area of inpainting in the extreme upper right corner, likely due to previous paint loss, that fluoresces. There is also a pin hole at the top edge of the panel that has been touched up. We wish to thank "In Restauro Conservart Inc." for examining this work and their original notes are available upon request to Sotheby's.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Although MacDonald made a career as a teacher, his love of painting - as evidenced in this glorious panel - would always eclipse any satisfaction that came of it. In 1922, just after this painting was made, he wrote to his wife:

I would gladly become a vagabond myself and often feel that I'd like to do nothing the rest of my life but sketch and paint and study nature outdoors. I loathe school and the thoughts of teaching. I like the lonely shore and the sound of the waves...

MacDonald went to Lake Simcoe during his summer holidays and stayed at the Hamilton family cottage on Roche's Point. The works that he created there are among his best and most expressive.

In this panel, his brushwork is particularly assured, activating the broad forms of discordant colour. His palette is particularly sophisticated and subtle as MacDonald manages a convincing depth of field without the standard tropes of fore, middle and background. The meeting of sky and water at dusk makes for a vision of Lake Simcoe that is thoroughly alive.