For sale: William Ronald (1926–1998) — Watercolour, signed & dated 1959
A striking, intimate watercolour by William Ronald — one of Canada’s most important post-war abstract painters and the founder of the influential Painters Eleven. Executed in Ronald’s characteristic “central image” manner, this sheet presents a quietly powerful composition: a soft, cloud-like field punctuated by a darker, gestural focal mass and delicate, organic speckling. The restrained palette and spontaneous washes reveal the artist’s mastery of watercolour’s unpredictable lyricism and surface tension.
The work is signed and dated lower right “Ronald ’59,” placing it during the vital late-1950s period when Ronald was exhibiting in New York and closely associated with the Kootz Gallery — a connection that helped bring his work to international collectors and critics.
Importantly for provenance, the original backing shows period gallery labels and a prominent Kootz Gallery stamp/label from New York, together with earlier price/receipt stickers and manuscript notations — evidence of the picture’s institutional handling and market history. The intact backing and labels will help any future buyer or institutional buyer trace its exhibition/ownership history.
Condition & Presentation: The work is framed (as photographed) and retains its original backing and framing hardware. The front shows only minimal age toning, which enhances the work’s authenticity rather than detracts from its aesthetic. A loose buffer sheet behind the original watercolour remains in place, now protected by a new acid-free backing board. High-resolution photographs or an in-hand inspection can be provided to interested buyers.
Collectors will find much to admire in this work by William Ronald, a central figure in Canadian abstraction and founding member of Painters Eleven. Created during his important New York period, the painting carries the prestigious Kootz Gallery label on the reverse—an exceptional provenance linking it to one of the era’s foremost modernist galleries. With its balanced composition, refined colour, and approachable scale, the watercolour offers both art-historical significance and timeless visual appeal, making it a compelling choice for seasoned and emerging collectors alike.
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