Harold Town (1924-1990) remains one of the best-known and most intriguing artists from the "Painters Eleven" group. 

Town's reputation was established in the late 1950s with a series of mysterious unique abstract prints ("Single Autographic Prints") that included collage elements. In 1956, he represented Canada at the Venice Biennale with these works. 

Over the following decades, the artist continued reinventing his aesthetic, regularly changing medium and mood. He was nicknamed the Picasso of Canada due to his constant evolution. By the mid-1960s, he was considered as Canada's most famous artist. 

While Town made a significant contribution to Canadian abstraction, he created figurative works throughout his career. 

His "Toy Horse" series is arguably his most successful and iconic body of figurative work. Inspired by a Christmas gift, Town reimagined the subject through a number of variations during 1976-1983, ranging from stylized ink drawings to meticulous almost wire-like geometric designs. 

This evocative work on paper is a striking example from this series, depicting the subject with bold, exaggerated forms, and whimsical details. Town used color to great affect and here realizes the horse's mane and tail in canary yellow punctuated by elements of teal green, olive, fuchsia and orange. 

Today, Town's work is represented in prestigious collections across North America including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the Guggenheim (New York).

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"Toy Horse"

Canada, 1976

Colored chalk, pastel and graphite on blue paper

Signed and dated by the artist, top left 

15.75"H 12"W (work)

21.25" 17.25"W (framed)

Very good condition.

Provenance: The Estate of Harold Town 

Note: price is $5,500 CAD