Centennial Man by Ewald Rentz

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100 of 291 lots

100

Estimate:

CA$800 - CA$1,000

Sold

CA$250

Live Auction

Canadiana & Folk Art Featuring the Jim Fleming, Marty Osler, Susan Murray and Laing Collections

ARTIST

Ewald Rentz (1908-1995) was born in North Dakota, but grew up in Manitoba before settling in Beadmore, Ontario. A man of many trades, Rentz worked throughout his lifetime as a lumberjack, prospector, cook and a barber. During his time as a prospector, Rentz would collect unusual roots, fungus and branches which he would use to create his whimsical, often humorous, sculptures. He would 'coax the hidden forms out of the wood', turning discarded materials into intricate carvings depicting people and animals such as bellhops, matadors and mermaids. His works are renowned amongst Canadian folk art collectors and can be found on permanent display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and in many collections across North America.

Size

Carving: 28" x 16" x 11". Overall height with stand: 78".

Category

Folk Art

Description

Beardmore, Ontario. 1967. Softwood, tin, driftwood. A very tall and impressive celebration of Canada's Centennial made by Ewald Rentz. He features a carving of a man proudly holding a maple leaf overhead in his left hand. In his right hand, and In celebration of Canada's centennial year, he holds a sign marked "Canada 1867-1967". He wears a dark green shirt, brown pants and a tin belt buckle. Mounted to a piece of driftwood in varnish finish. Signed on both bases "E. Rentz", indicating that mounting him on the post was likely an afterthought.

Condition

Good condition.

Provenance

From the Jim Fleming Collection.

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