TORONTO - A painting by Canadian artist William Kurelek sold in a Toronto auction for $472,000 -- the second highest on record for the artist and more than double its estimated value of $150,000 and $200,000.
Consignor Canadian Fine Art says the 1972 paining, titled "Hot Day in Kensington Market," is one of 21 works in Kurelek's "Toronto" series depicting life in the city where the Alberta-born artist found commercial success and raised a family.
The auction house says a second painting by Kurelek, "Hauling Hay," fetched $94,400.
It says the most surprising result of Tuesday night's auction was a record set for Canadian artist Charles Comfort, whose piece "Smokestacks, Copper Cliff" sold for $33,040, which was six times its estimate of $3,000 and $5,000.
The painting is one of several preparatory sketches to the final canvas, "Smelter Stacks, Copper Cliff," which is in the National Gallery of Canada's permanent collection.
All prices include an 18 per cent buyer's premium.
