MALIGNE LAKE, CANADIAN ROCKIES

oil on birch panel

10.5 x 13.5 in. (26.7 x 34.3 cm)

Price Realized:

$ 90000 CAD.

INCLUDES BUYER’S PREMIUM

Notes:

signed lower right; inscribed verso “26094”, “164” and “Mrs. Banting / 205 Rosedale Heights Dr.”

Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Henrietta Ball Banting (Lady Banting); sold on November 19, 2007 by Ritchies & Sotheby’s (Toronto ON), acquired by Masters Gallery (Calgary AB) and placed into a private collection (Calgary AB)

Exhibited: “Exhibition of Paintings by the Late Sir Frederick Banting”, Hart House, University of Toronto, February 13 to March 1, 1943 (label verso). This painting is listed under the title “Probably Maligne Lake, Canadian Rockies” on page 32 of the book that accompanied the exhibition: “Banting as an Artist” (A.Y. Jackson, with memoir by Frederick W.W. Hipwell); The Ryerson Press, Toronto; 1943). On the second anniversary of Banting’s death, a special exhibition of Bantings paintings, drawings and wood carvings was held at the art gallery of Hart House (University of Toronto), from February 13-March 1, 1943. Banting was a regular contributor to the annual Senior Members’ Show at Hart House and a long-time supporter. Great efforts were made to track down all known works by the artist for this memorial tribute.

Exhibited: “Sir Frederick Banting 1891-1941, A Collection of Forty Sketches Presented with the Co-operation Lady Banting”, Owens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University, Sackville NB, October 1967 (label verso). The painting is listed as “Maligne Lake – Canadian Rockies – 1936” (catalogue #4).

Frederick Banting was the youngest of six children born to William Thompson and Margaret Grant Banting, born on the family farm in Essa Township just outside of Alliston, Ontario. It is surprising given his future achievements that Banting was described as an unremarkable, shy, but conscientious student, though he had varied interests that included athletics and art. Today, he is globally recognized for his lifetime achievements: most notably his 1921 discovery of insulin with Charles Best. He received the 1923 Nobel prize in Medicine with John Macleod, and a knighthood in 1934 for his remarkable contributions to medicine.

During his scientific career, Banting also became a respected artist, closely associated with A.Y. Jackson and the Group of Seven. As a young man, he enjoyed sketching nature and drew pen and ink cartoons. He took up painting more seriously in 1920 while struggling to establish a medical practice in London, Ontario, and it became an important means of relaxation for him as his career progressed. In 1925, Banting joined the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, and around the same time, first met A.Y. Jackson. Through Jackson and the club, Banting became aware of the work of the founding members of the Group of Seven and their philosophies about Canadian art. Jackson and Banting soon forged a strong friendship, and they were regular sketching partners for 16 years, travelling across Canada to paint the varied landscape together.
It was at the Arts and Letters Club that Banting was also introduced to images and tales of the western Rocky Mountains, prompting his first trip there in 1925. A few years later in 1928, Banting and Jackson headed West to sketch the Rockies for the first time together. Banting would show Jackson his sketches for feedback and invested significant time and effort into advancing his painting skills. Over time, he developed his own style, more controlled, contemplative of form, colour and representation.

In June 1936, Banting returned to Jasper en-route to the annual Canadian Medical Association convention in Victoria. He was the very first guest for the opening of the season at Jasper Park Lodge on June 15th: “I just bummed around there and loafed and painted,” he told reporters at the convention, “I had intended on going south after the convention, but I was so charmed with the place that I have decided to spend another few days in Jasper on my return.” True to his work, he did return and spent three additional weeks in Jasper to devote his time entirely to sketching. It was this trip to which most of Banting’s surviving Jasper sketches are attributed.

The vantage point of “Maligne Lake, Canadian Rockies” is likely from the area of the Bald Hills in Jasper National Park. Today, the challenging route through Bald Hills passes through a forest of lodgepole pine to treeline, where summits and ridgelines connect through alpine meadows, allowing one to wander and take in the everchanging views of Maligne Lake and the surrounding peaks. “I have never found myself in such surrounding anywhere else,” he stated upon return from this 1936 trip, “No matter where you look, you find something majestic, dignified, and awe-inspiring. To me it is one of the most beautiful settings in the world.”