The young artist develops an entirely new vision of the scenery, taking altogether into account the techniques of Action painting and the color balances of abstract expressionism.
His effect of presence supported by the large size of the canvases is not based on a perspective but on the masking of the remote scenery by a pattern from nature or on the difficult interpretation of a reflection in water. The horizon is not useful in such compositions and disappears as from Monet's pond.
In the previous year his Swamps recreated an atmosphere inspired by the movies. In his preparation for the Whitechapel show, Doig reuses his own winter photos in the ravines of Rosedale, a suburb of Toronto populated by rich and sumptuous mansions.
The Architect's Home in the ravine reveals an opulent villa through the trunks and leafless branches of the forest, with a very meticulous work of lines and colors. This oil on canvas 200 x 250 cm was sold for £ 11.3M including premium by Christie's on February 11, 2016.
On May 18 in New York, Phillips sells at lot 9 an oil on canvas 200 x 240 cm simply titled Rosedale. The April 19 press release announces that it is expected to realize in excess of $ 25M.
Even more than the Architect's Home, Rosedale opens the way to Doig's new style and technique. The classical logic would have required the building to be drawn before the elements that partially conceal it. Doig does the opposite. The image is also dotted in a white pointillism that expresses the cold of winter. The artist affirms his sensitivity to some winter scenes by Bruegel in which snow is everywhere without being preponderant.
Please watch the video shared by Phillips.
SOLD for $ 29M including premium
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— P H I L L I P S (@phillipsauction) April 19, 2017