Toronto-based auction house Waddington's will hold its Major Spring Sale on May 28, 2026, marking its 176th anniversary. The sale comprises three sessions: Canadian & International Fine Art, First Nations Art, and Inuit Art. Highlights include works by Lawren Stewart Harris (Lake Superior Sketch, VI, est. $700,000–$800,000 CAD), David Brown Milne (Heavy Forms, 1913, est. $80,000–$120,000), Rudolf Ernst (Finishing Touches, est. $100,000–$150,000 CAD), Emily Carr (Somewhere, ca. 1942, est. $350,000–$450,000), and Norval Morrisseau (Young Shaman with Powers, 1978, est. $100,000–$150,000 CAD). The sale spans diverse periods and mediums, with a focus on Canadian masters and Indigenous art.
This sale matters because it showcases the enduring market strength and cultural significance of Canadian art, particularly works by Group of Seven affiliates and Indigenous artists. The inclusion of First Nations and Inuit art sessions highlights a growing institutional and collector interest in Indigenous works, while the high estimates for pieces by Harris and Carr reflect sustained demand for canonical Canadian painters. The sale also underscores Waddington's role as a key regional auction house connecting Canadian art history with global collectors.