Mountain Forms, an iconic 1926 Rocky Mountain canvas by Group of Seven founder Lawren Harris, was recently part of The Idea of North, Steve Martin's show celebrating the art of Lawren Harris. (Heffel Fine Art Auction House)A mountainscape painting by Group of Seven founder Lawren Harris has become the most expensive artwork ever to sell at a Canadian auction. Mountain Forms, a renowned 1926 painting of Alberta's Mount Ishbel in the Sawback Range of the Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park, sold for $9.5 million at the Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Toronto tonight. Lawren Harris' Mountain Forms fetches 9.5 million (hammer price) , breaks record at #heffelauction #cbcent pic.twitter.com/epMcax9Yh0 — @deanasumanacMountain Forms hails from the collection of Imperial Oil, which has reduced its art holdings in recent years. It was most recently on loan to The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris, an exhibition co-curated by comedian and art lover Steve Martin.

Source: CBC News November 23, 2016 23:50 UTC