Dorothy Renals (1932-2011)
Title: ” The Ruby & The Sapphire ” (A Diptych)
Panel size: 8″ x 14″ each (Original frames included: 10 1/2″ x 16 1/2″)
A rare, documented pairing of Canadian visionary symbolism with original 1988 gallery provenance……… $1,650.00 Canadian
The Gemstone Angels: The Ruby & The Sapphire
This striking pair of original paintings by Canadian artist Dorothy Renals offers a rare glimpse into the visionary art movement of the late 1980s. Executed in the meticulous and ancient medium of egg tempera and accented with luminous gold paint, these works possess a jewel-like glow that modern acrylics simply cannot replicate.
Each piece centers on a celestial figure—one vibrant in crimson, the other ethereal in deep cobalt—guarding a faceted gemstone. The level of detail in the “halo” borders and the shimmering gold work reflects Renals’ dedication to a craft that feels both medieval and timeless.
What truly sets this pair apart is their impeccable provenance. Included with the paintings is the original gallery invoice from June 1988, showing they were acquired as a set from the prestigious Westmount Gallery in Toronto. To find a themed diptych from this period, still held together and accompanied by its original history, is a significant find for any collector of historical Canadian art.
- Medium: Egg Tempera & Gold Paint on Masonite
- Dimensions: 8” x 14” (Each)
- Signatures: Signed “Renals” (Lower Right)
- Provenance: Westmount Gallery Ltd., Toronto (1988)
Artist Biography: Dorothy Renals (1932–2011)
Dorothy Renals was a highly respected Canadian painter and a fixture of the arts community in Perth, Ontario. Moving to Perth in 1961 to pursue her craft full-time, she became known for her distinct “Visionary Symbolism”—a style that merged natural world observations with deeply spiritual and mythological themes.
Renals was a master of traditional techniques, most notably egg tempera, a demanding medium requiring the artist to mix pigments with egg yolk. This method, popularized during the Renaissance, allowed her to achieve the incredible translucency and fine detail seen in her many depictions of birds, spirits, and guardians.
Throughout her career, her work was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Ontario, including major galleries in Toronto and Ottawa. Her paintings are held in several private and public collections, prized for their quiet strength and the mystical atmosphere she breathed into every panel. Today, she is remembered as a pioneering voice who helped define the spiritual landscape of 20th-century Canadian art.
Copyright of the artist and or the artist estate.