The
following description has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts
S. Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans
& Kenyon
Note 1)
Per Stephen McCanse Canadian Art:
"Born in
Toronto, Ontario in 1846, John Colin Forbes is best known for his portraiture,
as well as a superb handling of light and shadow. He was self-taught until
he decided to study art in England at the South Kensington Museum and the
Royal Academy Schools in London and the Union Intl. Des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Upon his return to Canada, Forbes soon began receiving many important portrait
commissions, including King Edward and Queen Alexandra at Buckingham Palace. He
was invited by William Van Horne to join a group of artists travelling to
western Canada to paint the Rockies. This was a campaign intended to bring
tourism to Canada. Forbes was married in 1888, and had three sons. His son
Kenneth Forbes went on to become a very successful portrait painter.
Education
- Union Intl. Des Beaux-Arts, Paris
- Royal Academy School, London
- South Kensington Museum
- Upper Canada College
Professional Affiliations
- Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
Selected Public Collections
National Gallery of Canada"
In addition, the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Canadian Parliament, McCord Museum of Canadian History, Montreal, Quebec, University of
Lethbridge Art Gallery, and the Onondaga, NY Historical
Association also hold Forbes' art in their collections.
Note 2)
The following auction records regarding Forbes' sales warrant the conclusion
that the presale estimate of $600-$800 is reasonable and justifiable:
Photo Image Not Available
Title/Subject: Cattle by the River, Sunset Signed.
Oil on artist's board. 9 in. x 12 in. sold for $1,018 on 11/3/2005-11/26/2012
at Heffel Fine Art, Vancouver, Canada
Title/Subject: The Lily Pond Signed.
Oil on artist's board. 11 ¾ in. x 17 ¾ in. sold for $3,344 on 5/31/2005 at Waddington’s,
Toronto, Canada
Photo Image Not Available
Title/Subject: Figure
Among Classical Ruins Signed. Oil on
canvas. 18 in. x 23 ½ in. sold for $4,400 on 11/20/1999 at New Orleans Auction,
New Orleans, LA
Photo Image Not Available
Title/Subject: Cows watering in a Stream Signed.
Oil on artist's board. 6 in. x 9 in. sold for $600 on 12/16/1998 at Doyle, NYC
85