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Listed Canadian Artist: (1894 -1978)
Sight Size: h: 28 in. by w: 33 in, Oil on 1/4" Masonite.
Framed Size: h: 36.5 in. by w: 41.5 in.
Signed: Recto (front) lower right.
Titled: Verso (back) "The Favourite".
Encased: within its original, uniquely ornate, gold coloured compostion frame.
Painting Condition: Clean and recently varnished with no surface condition issues.
Frame Condition: A fine quality composition frame in extremely good condition. Without question, this 1930's frame is original to this painting.
A Special Note of Interest: This splendid work by Tom Stone comes with a solid provenance and background story that dates back to the mid-to-late 1930's. "The Favourite", as it is entitled, was commisioned by the owner of the well known early 20th century Toronto company, Regal Stationery and Gifts. The Regal Company for many years produced a line of greeting cards for all occasions and the painting displayed here was, in fact, reproduced in colour as a Christmas card in their line of greeting cards. It is believed that this card was introduced into the line a few years prior to the start of World War II; a time when people were becoming far more compassionate about the 'Modern Art Movements' of the day and paintings that depicted Canadian's attachment to the Great Northern expanse.
Modern art movements, or Modernism as it is called refers to a global movement in society and culture that from the early decades of the 20th century sought a new alignment with the values of modern industrial life. Building on late 19th century precedents, artists around the world began to use new imagery, different materials and techniques to create a broad range of artworks that they felt better reflected the realities and hopes of modern societies.
It is a unique situation that this painting by Tom, which can be considered one of his finest larger works, both for its subject matter and palette, has recently come from the collection of the Regal Stationary original founding member's family. It has been in their personal collection for the past eighty plus years. So, this is the first time it is being offered for sale on the open art market since Tom painted it those many years ago.
Tom Stone OSA
Tom Stone was born in Fownhope, Herefordshire, England in 1894 and first immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1914. Tom, at a young age moved to Vancouver and studied evenings at the Vancouver School of art. Soon after he moved to Ontario and studied art full time at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. In 1925 he was awarded the Governor General’s Award for being that year’s outstanding student at the OCA. Tom continued to further his studies under noted artist Andre L’Hote at his Academie in Paris, France and he also studied at the Academie Moderne also in Paris.
Tom became a longtime member and also a director of the Ontario Society of Artists in the 1930’s and continued actively painting until his passing in 1978. He enjoyed working in oils, but he also created a few lithographs over the years. Being an outdoorsman, Tom created a large number of snow laden winter landscapes, some including campsites, hunters and dog teams. Some of his favourite painting settings were found in the Magnetawan River area near Parry Sound, the Muskoka Lake and Haliburton region in Ontario and also in the Gatineau Hills in Quebec. During a few years of study and travel from 1927 to 1929 he also exhibited his paintings in Italy, France and Switzerland.
Tom’s paintings are now in numerous collections world wide. It was said early on by an art critic of the day, that Tom showed “great skill in the handling of snow especially with the impressions of the gleam of waning sunlight on it.”
In 1929 Tom had his first ever one-man show, which was presented at the Art Gallery of Toronto (today known as the Art Gallery of Ontario). The A.G.O. also holds some of Tom’s works in their permanent art collection. Tom also exhibited regularly with the R.C.A. starting in 1923 and continued to do so up until 1943.
Tom Stone passed away in 1978 at the age of 84.
Painting Ref No: 921ANDBRN-S/MIEEX
Thomas Albert Stone OCA, AOCA
Updated July 4, 2024 |
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