S p r i n g & S u m m e r 2 0 2 6 new s l e t t er
Spring & Summer 2026 IN REVIEW
Ta k ao Tanab e Inside Passage 12/98: In Grenville Channel acrylic on canvas, 1998 52 × 93 inches Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000 Sold May 21, 2026 for a record $511,250
A Monumental Season The first half of 2026 was defined by significant collections, a robust and passionate auction market, and continued enthusiasm for exceptional works of art. Across our live and online auctions and private sales, collectors from around the world demonstrated a strong appetite for freshto-market masterpieces, while important institutional partnerships and landmark consignments reinforced Heffel’s position at the forefront of the Canadian art market. From record-setting auctions to remarkable collections and memorable discoveries,
the following pages highlight some of the moments that defined the season and set the stage for an exciting second half of the year.
Spring Live Auction Highlights The enthusiasm surrounding our Spring Live Auction was evident long before the first lot crossed the auction block. Beginning with our preview exhibitions in Calgary and continuing through Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, thousands of visitors experienced the outstanding works on offer first-hand. From long-time collectors to first-time buyers, each stop demonstrated the passion surrounding the selection of works. The excitement was evident when the bidding opened in our Toronto saleroom on May 21, with spirited competition from collectors across Canada and worldwide. The sale realized more than $22.5 million, reflecting
continued strength in the market and the demand for rare, museum-quality works with exceptional provenance. The Spring Live Auction achieved an outstanding 95 per cent sell-through rate, the highest in the Canadian auction market, with an average price per lot of $296,482. Throughout the evening, bidders competed enthusiastically for many of the finest works to appear on the market in recent years. The season was defined by unforgettable moments, led by the record-breaking sale of E.J. Hughes’s canvas Coastal Boats Near Sidney, BC (1948), which realized $5.7 million and established a new world auction record for the artist. Standout results for works by Tom Thomson, Jean Paul Riopelle, Alex Colville and A.J. Casson and a fitting new auction record for Takao Tanabe further demonstrated the depth and vitality of today’s Canadian art market.