Jessie Oonark Oc, Rca , ᔪᓯ ᐃᓇ
UNTITLED (MAGDALENE AT THE TOMB OF JESUS
JESSIE OONARK, O.C., R.C.A. (1906-1985), ᔪᓯ ᐃᓇ, E2-384, BAKER LAKE / QAMANI’TUAQ
UNTITLED (MAGDALENE AT THE TOMB OF JESUS
coloured pencil drawing, signed in syllabics, c. 1976
14.5 x 9.5 in — 38.1 x 24.1 cm
Provenance:
a Toronto private collection
Note:
As mentioned in the discussion of Lot 17, we sometimes have to speculate about Oonark’s portrayal of Christian iconography. This drawing almost surely depicts Mary Magdalene and Jesus, but since it seems to show him twice we need to sort out the precise meaning. (It should be noted that the illustration of multiple episodes of a story is a common feature of Baker Lake narrative drawings.) That Jesus is depicted at the time of his burial (which Mary Magdalene witnessed) seems clear. The second depiction is more puzzling; it may represent the moment of Jesus’s resurrection (unseen by Mary), or perhaps it illustrates the slightly later Noli Mi Tangere (Touch Me Not) scene. It’s a charming and very moving work.
References: for related Christian imagery by Oonark see Darlene Coward Wight, Creation and Transformation (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2012) cat. 76 (Giver of Life); see also Jean Blodgett and Marie Bouchard, Jessie Oonark: A Retrospective (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1986) p. 45 (The Last Supper).
Estimate: $1,500—2,500
UNTITLED (MAGDALENE AT THE TOMB OF JESUS
coloured pencil drawing, signed in syllabics, c. 1976
14.5 x 9.5 in — 38.1 x 24.1 cm
Provenance:
a Toronto private collection
Note:
As mentioned in the discussion of Lot 17, we sometimes have to speculate about Oonark’s portrayal of Christian iconography. This drawing almost surely depicts Mary Magdalene and Jesus, but since it seems to show him twice we need to sort out the precise meaning. (It should be noted that the illustration of multiple episodes of a story is a common feature of Baker Lake narrative drawings.) That Jesus is depicted at the time of his burial (which Mary Magdalene witnessed) seems clear. The second depiction is more puzzling; it may represent the moment of Jesus’s resurrection (unseen by Mary), or perhaps it illustrates the slightly later Noli Mi Tangere (Touch Me Not) scene. It’s a charming and very moving work.
References: for related Christian imagery by Oonark see Darlene Coward Wight, Creation and Transformation (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2012) cat. 76 (Giver of Life); see also Jean Blodgett and Marie Bouchard, Jessie Oonark: A Retrospective (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1986) p. 45 (The Last Supper).
Estimate: $1,500—2,500
Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Lot # | Low Est | High Est | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-05-28 | First Arts | 64 | 1,500 | 2,500 | 1,560.00 |
