WORKS FROM THE ESTATE OF
DAVID BLACKWOOD
Calgary | November 2026
November 5 - 19, 2026 Cowley Abbott Gallery, Calgary
WORKS FROM THE ESTATE OF
DAVID BLACKWOOD A Selling Exhibition
ON VIEW November 5-19 Cowley Abbott Calgary INQUIRIES Peter Ohler (587) 317-6564 peter@cowleyabbott.ca
326 Dundas Street West, Toronto (416) 479‒9703 | 1 (866) 931‒8415 (toll free) mail@cowleyabbott.ca CowleyAbbott.ca
607 Confluence Way SE, Calgary (587) 317- 6564 peter@cowleyabbott.ca peterohler.com
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION Cowley Abbott is honoured to collaborate once again with the Estate of David Blackwood to present an exclusive selling exhibition of the artist’s work. Offering collectors and admirers a rare opportunity to acquire significant artworks through private sale directly from the Estate, this special presentation celebrates the remarkable breadth and enduring legacy of Blackwood’s artistic practice. A master printmaker, draughtsman and painter, Blackwood devoted his career to capturing the history, traditions and distinctive character of Newfoundland and Labrador. Spanning a lifetime of artistic exploration, the exhibition brings together an exceptional range of works, including etchings and aquatints, watercolours, drawings, copperplates and an encaustic on built wood panel. Together, these works offer insight into the artist’s technical versatility and his lifelong commitment to storytelling through art. Thoughtfully curated to reflect Blackwood’s distinctive artistic vision, the exhibition celebrates his ability to transform maritime history, folklore and personal memory into evocative and enduring images. Presented at Cowley Abbott’s Calgary office from November 5 to 19, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience and acquire works spanning the artist’s career. Cowley Abbott is delighted to welcome collectors and admirers of Blackwood’s work to this special exhibition honouring one of Canada’s most celebrated printmakers and storytellers.
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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1 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Loss of the Flora S. Nickerson, 1993 colour etching and aquatint titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 31.75 ins x 19.75 ins LITERATURE
William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, 2001, reproduced p. 16 Katharine Lochnan, Black Ice: David Blackwood Prints of Newfoundland, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 2011, reproduced, unpaginated
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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2 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD August Iceberg, 1988 colour etching and aquatint titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 19.75 ins x 31.75 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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3 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Island Funeral, 1967 colour etching and aquatint signed, titled, dated 1967 and inscribed "Artist's proof " in the lower margin 30 ins x 20 ins LITERATURE
Farley Mowat, Wake of the Great Sealers, 1973, reproduced page 25 William Gough, The Art of David Blackwood, 1988, reproduced Home in Wesleyville, plate 18, unpaginated William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, 2001, reproduced page 29 Katharine Lochnan et al., Black Ice: David Blackwood Prints of Newfoundland, Art Gallery of Ontario, 2011, reproduced page 134
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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4 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Outward Bound for the Labrador, 1985 colour etching and aquatint signed, titled, dated 1985 and inscribed "Artist's Proof " in the lower margin 15 ins x 36 ins EXHIBITED
Art Gallery of Ontario, Black Ice: David Blackwood, Prints of Newfoundland, 2011, same image Art Gallery of Ontario, David Blackwood: Myth & Legend, October 11, 2025 – July 26, 2026, same image LITERATURE
William Gough, The Art of David Blackwood, 1988, reproduced in “Down on the Labrador” as plate 1 and listed, unpaginated William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, 2001, same image reproduced pages 106 and 107 Katherine Lochnan, Black Ice: David Blackwood, Prints of Newfoundland, Art Gallery of Ontario, 2011, reproduced plate 54, unpaginated Alexa Greist ed., David Blackwood: Myth & Legend, Art Gallery of Ontario, 2025, reproduced pages 60 and 61, listed page 137
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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5 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Passing Shadow, 1990 colour etching and aquatint signed, titled, dated 1990 and numbered "Artist's proof 10/15" in the lower margin 31.75 ins x 19.5 ins LITERATURE
William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, 2001, reproduced page 23 Katharine Lochnan, Black Ice: David Blackwood, Prints of Newfoundland, Art Gallery of Ontario, 2011, reproduced plate 57
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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6 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Seabird Hunters from Pound Cove, 2005 colour etching and aquatint titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 11.75 ins x 17.75 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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7 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD The Lantern with Lantern Box, 1988 oil on board signed and dated 1988 lower right; unframed 32 ins x 48 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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8 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Griffith Oakley's Light, 1991 colour etching and aquatint titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 7.75 ins x 9.75 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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9 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD His Father Dreams II: Labrador Days, 1988 colour etching and aquatint titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 15 ins x 35 ins LITERATURE
William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, 2001, reproduced p. 110 and 111
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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10 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD His Father Dreams II: Labrador Day, 1988 graphite titled and inscribed on the reverse “From the Studio of David Blackwood 19412022. Authenticated by Anita Blackwood August 21, 2025, Port Hope, Ontario." 15 ins x 36 ins (sheet) LITERATURE
William Gough, "David Blackwood: Master Printmaker," Vancouver/ Toronto, 2001, reproduced pages 110-111 "His Father Dreams II: Labrador Days" (etching and aquatint) This is a preliminary drawing for the etching and aquatint "His Father Dreams II: Labrador Days" of 1988, executed in an edition of 75.
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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11 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Yellow Tulips, 2018 watercolour signed and dated 2018 lower right 29 ins x 19 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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12 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD In the Labrador Sea, 1996 colour etching and aquatint titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 20 ins x 32 ins LITERATURE
William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, Firefly Books, 2001, p. 116–117, reproduced
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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13 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Study for "In the Labrador Sea" graphite titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 20 ins x 31.5 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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14 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD The Red Gate, Bonavista Bay, circa 1986 watercolour titled and with estate stamp on the reverse 14 ins x 21 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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15 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD SW Mifflin Catalina, circa 2011-2013 encaustic on built wood panel dated circa 2011-2013 and inscribed "From the Studio of David Blackwood 1941-2022. Encaustic painted wood construction. Authenticated by Anita Blackwood Port Hope Ontario August 2023." on the reverse 15 ins x 16 ins This encaustic painting was a work in progress by David Blackwood, dated circa 2011-2013. Blackwood fashioned paint pots by repurposing empty tuna or salmon tins with wooden handles. These pots filled with encaustic paint would then be heated up before applying the encaustic to the built wood panel Blackwood created. –
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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16 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD The Nickerson Passing, 2011-2013 encaustic on built wood panel signed, titled and dated 2011-2013 on the reverse 12 ins x 14 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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17 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Autobiography, 2010 colour etching and aquatint signed, titled, dated 2010 and numbered 31/50 in the lower margin 33 ins x 22 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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18 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD The Gift, 1995 graphite signed and dated 1995 in the lower margin; titled on the reverse 9.5 ins x 12.25 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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19 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Joe Fafard's Sheep, circa 1990 monotype 24 ins x 36 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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20 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Spring Iceberg, circa 1991 copperplate monotype titled and inscribed on the reverse “From the Studio of David Blackwood 19412022. Authenticated by Anita Blackwood August 21, 2025, Port Hope, Ontario." 20 ins x 31.75 ins
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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21 DAVID LLOYD BLACKWOOD Great Mummer, 1989 colour etching and aquatint signed, titled, dated 1989 and numbered 37/75 in the lower margin 24 ins x 20 ins LITERATURE
William Gough, David Blackwood: Master Printmaker, Firefly Books, 2001, page 92, reproduced
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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PRIVATE SALES
Peter Ohler Western Canada Representative Director of Private Sales (587) 317-6564 peter@cowleyabbott.ca
The Private Sales department at Cowley Abbott remains dedicated to acquiring rare and significant artworks, building on the trust Peter Ohler has established with collectors over the years. In 2018, after more than thirty years as a principal at one of Canada’s leading historical art galleries, Peter transitioned to become a private dealer. Peter has brought his wealth of expertise to Cowley Abbott, strengthening our firm’s offerings. He works closely with buyers and sellers, to provide confidential private sale opportunities through his extensive network of collectors. His approach ensures discreet, high-value transactions.
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COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
ABOUT COWLEY ABBOTT
Rob Cowley and Lydia Abbott of Cowley Abbott
Cowley Abbott bridges the gap between traditional art auction services and the online fine art marketplace. With dedicated preview and gallery space, regular art auctions, and partnerships with national art experts, we provide both buyers and sellers of Canadian and international art with a unique and effective set of services which marry the traditional methods of promoting artwork and innovative means of building a collection. Cowley Abbott has rapidly grown to be a leader in today’s competitive Canadian auction industry, holding semi-annual live auctions as well as monthly online auctions. Apart from these sales, Cowley Abbott also offers services for private sales, charity auctions, and formal appraisal services. With a prime location amid a row of art galleries and directly across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario, Cowley Abbott also has the advantage of being immersed in a lively art community in its day-to-day operations.
Our experienced specialists strive to form relationships with clients built on professionalism, transparency and trust. The Cowley Abbott team is keen to facilitate the entire process of selling or purchasing an artwork, from on-site visits and individual consultations to the fall of the gavel and the final delivery of a work of art. We believe that art collecting should be approachable, educational and rewarding for both new and seasoned collectors. Several definitive details set Cowley Abbott apart to our clientele, cementing our presence in the Canadian art auction industry. We look forward to being of service to avid collectors far and wide.
COWLEY ABBOTT | Works from the Estate of David Blackwood
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