Waddington’s launches spring auctions with Harris, Carr and Morrisseau works

By AI, Created 5:05 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Waddington’s is opening online bidding May 14-28 for three major spring art auctions in Toronto: Canadian and International Fine Art, First Nations Art and Inuit Art. The sales include top works by Lawren Harris, Emily Carr and Norval Morrisseau, with public previews running May 20-27.

Why it matters: - Waddington’s spring lineup puts major Canadian art, First Nations art and Inuit art on the block at the same time. - The auctions feature high-profile names and top estimates that can signal collector demand across multiple segments of the market. - Online bidding and public previews make the sales accessible to buyers across Canada and beyond.

What happened: - Waddington’s announced three spring auctions: Canadian and International Fine Art, First Nations Art and Inuit Art. - Online bidding runs May 14-28, 2026. - Public previews run May 20-27, or by appointment. - Online preview galleries are available at the auction house website.

The details: - The Canadian and International Fine Art sale includes works by Lawren Harris, Emily Carr, David Milne, Alfred Joseph Casson, Walter Joseph Phillips, Jack Bush and E.J. Hughes. - International highlights include Rudolf Ernst, Jules Olitski, Karel Appel and Edward Seago. - Lawren Harris’ Lake Superior Sketch, VI, ca. 1925-1928 carries a CAD 700,000-900,000 estimate. - Emily Carr’s Somewhere, ca. 1942 carries a CAD 350,000-450,000 estimate. - Other fine art highlights include Rudolf Ernst’s Finishing Touches at CAD 100,000-150,000, E.J. Hughes’ Goldstream at CAD 100,000-150,000, David Milne’s Heavy Forms, 1913 at CAD 80,000-120,000 and Jules Olitski’s Paradise Flood, 1989 at CAD 45,000-65,000. - The First Nations Art sale is anchored by Norval Morrisseau’s Young Shaman With Powers, 1978 at CAD 100,000-150,000. - That sale also includes work by Dempsey Bob, Beau Dick, Alex Janvier, Daphne Odjig, Allen Sapp, Robert Charles Davidson, Norman Tait, David Boxley, Klatle-Bhi, Terry Starr and Allan Weir. - First Nations highlights include Robert Charles Davidson’s Bangle, 1991 at CAD 25,000-35,000 and Beau Dick’s Pookmis (Spirit of the Drowned) Mask, ca. 1992 at CAD 10,000-15,000. - The Inuit Art sale includes material from the collection of Dr. Norman Epstein and the Lavrov-Costakis collection of historical art. - Inuit highlights include Karoo Ashevak’s Drum Dancer, ca. 1973 at CAD 50,000-70,000, Pauta Saila’s Dancing Bear, ca. 1984 at CAD 20,000-30,000, Nuna Parr’s Diving Walrus, 1990s at CAD 15,000-25,000 and an Okvik ivory piece, Head, Old Bering Sea II, 100-300 CE, at CAD 3,000-5,000. - Waddington’s was founded in 1850 and describes itself as Canada’s original auction house. - The house says it runs almost 100 auctions a year for an international network of collectors.

Between the lines: - The sale mix suggests Waddington’s is leaning on blue-chip Canadian art while also positioning Indigenous and Inuit works as major market categories. - The presence of museum-grade names and older historical objects indicates the auctions are aimed at serious collectors, not casual bidders. - High estimates on Harris, Carr and Morrisseau help frame these lots as the sales’ likely anchors.

What’s next: - Bidders can view the online preview galleries now and bid through May 28, 2026. - Public previews continue through May 27, giving collectors a final chance to inspect works in person before the auctions close. - Waddington’s says interested buyers can visit the website for more information.