The Painters Keys
You are at:»»Provenance

Provenance

180
By Letters

Dear Artist,

In May, a police detective called to let me know that one of my Dad’s paintings had been recovered from a stash of over 1,000 works of art found in three storage lockers around the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island. I had just written to you about those very storage lockers in a letter called Ethics and art galleries.

Snug Basin, Barkley Sound, c. 1979 Oil on mahogany panel 8 x 10 inches by Robert Genn (1936 - 2014)

Snug Basin, Barkley Sound, c. 1979
Oil on mahogany panel
8 x 10 inches
by Robert Genn (1936 – 2014)

The detective’s call was part of an investigation into the new owner of Winchester Galleries, opened in 1974 and up until 2019, a flagship of Canadian art. In April, a local collector had consigned to the gallery three Emily Carrs and a watercolour by David Blackwood. When the collector tried to follow up, the new owner, it seemed, had shut the gallery and vanished. The consignor notified the police, who quickly discovered a myriad of complaints, and soon seized, under warrant, a stash of works by over 140 artists, worth what the police estimate to be in the tens of millions of dollars. They also arrested the guy, who faces charges of fraud and false pretenses.

Even though my Dad was not officially represented by Winchester, over lifetimes, galleries and artists may float in and out of each others’ orbits – this is the kind of professional family we belong to. And so, the detective’s call was not a surprise. After an animated chat, he emailed me an image of an 8 x 10-inch mahogany oil panel of Snug Basin in Barkley Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island – a place my Dad would have tucked into numerous times on his vintage 1912 tug, the Swell, setting up in the sunshine, on the fantail. This is where this little painting would have begun its life, before it was carted home in a wet box. Its particular and special qualities spoke to me of my Dad’s respect for the event of the fantail, of his ardent love of the sleepy cove, and his regard for the gallery when he finally sent it to them. I verified the painting’s authenticity. This week, after a spell in the arms of good dealers, then as an imposter’s hostage, Snug Basin was returned to our family.

The Swell featured on CBC’s The Beachcombers. In the October, 1974 episode, titled "The Swell!" Jesse decides to run away and join the crew of The Swell. R.I.P. Pat John (1953- July 13, 2022), who played Jesse.

The Swell featured on CBC television’s popular primetime adventure comedy, “The Beachcombers”, which ran for 19 seasons. In the October, 1974 episode titled “The Swell!”, Jesse decides to run away and join the crew of the Swell.
R.I.P. Pat John (1953- July 13, 2022) (pictured lower left), who played Jesse.

Sincerely,

Sara

PS: “We know they have a sentimental value that is hard for us to comprehend. We will do our very best to reunite the owners with their work.” (Markus Anastasiades, public information and communications officer at the Saanich Police Department)

“I suppose what you’re doing as a painter is making a record of your trip through life. I can’t think of any job that is quite as satisfactory as doing a painting.” (Robert Genn (1936- 2014))

The Swell on Mudge, 1980 Acrylic on canvas 24 x 47.5 inches by Robert Genn

The Swell on Mudge, 1980
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 47.5 inches
by Robert Genn

Esoterica: The detective and his colleagues are in the midst of a heartened effort to return every piece of seized artwork to its rightful owner. But there are those consignors who will not be reunited, because their paintings were sold, and recovering funds, say the lawyers, can be tricky. Those people, I imagine, are heartbroken. As for the fraudster, according to the newspapers, his mortgage is in default, and he still owes for part of the selling price of the gallery, plus back-rent on the gallery space. “My clients have put their whole life and energy into making that gallery what it was,” said lawyer for the previous owners, Nicholas M. Vaartnou. “Unfortunately it seems like the new owner did not treat it the same way.”

Artists and consignors wishing to inquire about missing art consigned to Winchester Galleries can email the Saanich police at art@saanichpolice.ca.

“Do not let yourself be tainted with a barren skepticism.” (Louis Pasteur)

Dad on the fantail of the Swell, circa 1974.

Dad on the fantail of the Swell, circa 1974.

“Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
(W. B. Yeats (1865-1939) Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven)

“Others have told me you can feel it in your brush, and I do now. A family of mergansers swims close by – the young are almost ready to fly south. Perhaps you have felt it too – it has something to do with purity.” (Robert Genn


Share.

180 Comments

  2. Valerie Borgal on

    Intrigue in the art world. Glad this piece of your Dad’s life is back in the family. Sad that some people allow their hearts to take them to the dark side. I praise God this person has been caught and the retrieved paintings will find their homes soon. Kudos to the Law Enforcement!

    Reply
  3. Dorothy Murrell on

    I love this column – the convoluted world of art, the history of the Swell, the photo of the cast of The Beachcombers, and the note about Pat John, all tied together through you and your dad.

    Reply
  4. Terrill Welch on

    I am glad that your Dad’s painting is back with you Sara. The Winchester Gallery was always a favourite of mine even though I didn’t get there often. I remember seeing a David Blackwood show there and another by Joseph Plaskett of his later still life paintings that stand out from the other shows. Since I do have a few paintings in a collection that includes a large oil painting by Emily Carr oil painting and other paintings by various members of the Group of Seven, I hope that they never suffer such a fate. But once paintings leave our art studios they truly do have a life of their own. I recently heard about one of my paintings that was being held as collateral for money owed. Another was lost in a flood and one has already rescued from a deceased parent’s attic storage box. I just keep painting them and hope that some will be taken care of and still be appreciated a couple of hundred years from now, if our human civilization still exists by then. One can hope and hope that artists are still making art and art collectors are still collecting art in an art world with integrity and good will. All the best of the weekend everyone.

    Reply
  5. mary ann laing on

    This is not the first story of an art gallery owner being such a poor business person, artist suffered the losses due to their ignorance. I’d say it is the most shocking one, tho, for our small city of Victoria. I can’t help but feel sorry for this person who allowed this to happen. Did they think buying an art gallery was about the same as buying an ice cream stand? I do hope all the artworks find their way back to their creators, great work, Saanich Police! I recall in my learning/workshop attending days being told by an instructor to not allow our own works to become “too precious”. But this letter reminds me that some things about making art is precious, and that’s really why we do it. Love the calming inspiration you letters bring me, Sara, THANK YOU!!

    Reply
  6. Marney Ward SFCA, SCA on

    I used to be in Winchester Galleries, but fortunately had removed all my work before the previous owner sold it. It was considered the most prestigious gallery in Victoria, and in fact the owner at one point had 3 separate galleries in different locations in Victoria, I’ve had shows in two of them. He handled a lot of high-end contemporary paintings as well as historical European paintings; his local artists, especially me, were of lesser importance. He did put his heart and soul into his galleries and he must feel devastated to know what the new owner has done to the reputation of his beloved gallery. And I know this kind of fraud happens in other galleries too, we leave our work in a gallery as an act of faith. If the gallery shuts down, I believe all the paintings go into receivership and the artists get nothing. I know that happened with another gallery in Victoria some years ago. At least in this case the police are trying to locate the artists, and I’m really glad that your family got this one paintng back.

    Reply
  7. Robert Dickhoff on

    It happened to me with another artist’s work left on consignment, in Seattle. I had to take the owner of the gallery to court to recover the funds, waiting until that dealer had sold her house, once a lien was placed upon it. Her excuse to the judge was that the gallery had run into financial problems. The judge was not impressed and the gallerist was ordered to meet her responsibilities.
    Yes, paintings disappear, my own included, out of friends and relations homes alike. And I wonder about them. Thanks for your article, Sara.

    Reply
  8. Marilyn Hunt on

    In the early 90’s I had several paintings in the Winchester gallery in oak bay. Bernie, the owner at that time was such an encouragement to me as I was just getting on my feet as an artist.

    Reply
  49. more on

    These historical paintings are always amazing and people love to collect this painting work. I saw many people are using it to have a great collection or the best interior decoration of their home.

    Reply
  145. Jerry on

    Getting a call like that from a detective must be surreal — half relief, half a flood of memories. Provenance has always felt almost sacred when it involves a parent’s work; the story behind the painting becomes part of the painting itself.

    Reply
  154. John Mick on

    The painting’s recovery shows that provenance is not just paperwork; it carries memory, trust, and responsibility. It also raises an interesting question for today’s artists: as AI-assisted image creation tools become more common, what records should creators keep to distinguish an original work, a study, and a generated image years later?

    Reply
  158. Ricci.Lucas on

    I found this article useful for understanding the market. For people comparing Remote Control Lawn Mower, ricci lawn mower provides another source of information on equipment types, features, and applications.

    Reply
  166. 대구일수대출 on

    The detail that Snug Basin likely began on the Swell’s fantail and travelled home in a wet box makes its return feel especially meaningful, and it’s easy to see why the consignors whose works were already sold weigh on you. How did you verify authenticity: your Dad’s records, the back of the mahogany panel, or simply recognizing his hand? We run a small information site about daily-repayment loans in Daegu, Korea, and would be grateful if you stopped by: 대구일수대출

    Reply
  167. 베스트페이 PG수수료 on

    That little mahogany panel’s journey, from the fantail of the Swell in a wet box, through good dealers, then hostage to an imposter, and finally home, is moving. Your point about consignors whose paintings were already sold is sobering, and it fully makes sense why their heartbreak stays with you. When you verified Snug Basin, was it the brushwork, or records like the original gallery invoice, that settled its authenticity? From BestPay, a Korean payment processor, we’d be grateful if you dropped by: Thank you 베스트페이 PG수수료

    Reply
  168. Bestpay PG사 수수료 on

    Verifying Snug Basin must have been both moving and practical. Did your Dad keep an inventory or mark the backs of his mahogany panels in a way that made authentication straightforward? It’s hard to read about the consignors whose works were already sold, and the Saanich police email will be a real help to artists still searching. I’m with BestPay, a Korean payment gateway fee comparison site, and we’d be grateful if you dropped by: Lack of a dedicated link is fine. Bestpay PG사 수수료

    Reply
  169. PG 단말기 on

    Knowing Snug Basin began on the Swell’s fantail and travelled home in a wet box makes its return feel especially meaningful, and the heartbreak of consignors whose works were sold is easy to understand. How did you verify authenticity from the detective’s image: the mahogany panel, the brushwork, or records your Dad kept? We’re BestPay, a small Korean card payment terminal provider, and would be grateful if you stopped by: PG 단말기

    Reply
  170. PG 제한 업종 on

    It’s moving that Snug Basin came home after being held as an imposter’s hostage, and the detective’s call clearly meant a great deal given how galleries and artists drift through each other’s orbits. I’m curious how you verified the panel’s authenticity. Was it something on the mahogany back, your Dad’s records, or simply recognizing his hand from the fantail sessions? I write for BestPay, a Korean payment site explaining card-payment restrictions by business type, and would be grateful if you stopped by: [link] PG 제한 업종

    Reply
  171. PG수수료 on

    It must have been moving to see Snug Basin come home after being held hostage, especially knowing it began on the Swell’s fantail in Barkley Sound. I’m curious how you verified its authenticity from the detective’s emailed image. Did details like the mahogany panel or your Dad’s brushwork make it clear right away? From the BestPay team, a Korean card payment service, we’d be grateful if you ever dropped by: PG수수료

    Reply
  173. melbetpromocodeegypt on

    I used to be in Winchester Galleries, but fortunately had removed all my work before the previous owner sold it. It was considered the most prestigious gallery in Victoria, and in fact the owner at one point had 3 separate galleries in different locations in Victoria, I’ve had shows in two of them. He handled a lot of high-end contemporary paintings as well as historical European paintings; his local artists, especially me, were of lesser importance. He did put his heart and soul into his galleries and he must feel devastated to know what the new owner has done to the reputation of his beloved gallery. And I know this kind of fraud happens in other galleries too, we leave our work in a gallery as an act of faith. If the gallery shuts down, I believe all the paintings go into receivership and the artists get nothing. I know that happened with another gallery in Victoria some years ago. At least in this case the police are trying to locate the artists, and I’m really glad that your family got this one paintng back.

    Reply
  174. 콘텐츠이용료현금화 상담 안내 on

    What a story – a detective calling to say one of your Dad’s paintings, Snug Basin, Barkley Sound, had been recovered from over 1,000 works hidden in storage lockers.
    It shows why provenance matters so much, especially when a long-trusted gallery like Winchester changes hands and the new owner simply vanishes.
    I hope the collectors who consigned their Emily Carrs get their works back too.
    Thank you for sharing this. I write short guides on a very different topic: 콘텐츠이용료현금화 상담 안내

    Reply
  177. contentsinfobaro24.quv.kr on

    What a relief that Snug Basin, Barkley Sound came home after being found among the 1,000-plus works in those Saanich Peninsula storage lockers.
    I liked how you traced the panel back to the fantail of the Swell, where your Dad would set up in the sunshine before carting it home in a wet box.
    The line from Robert Genn about painting as a record of your trip through life fits this story perfectly.
    Thanks for sharing it, and I hope the other owners get their works back too. I keep a small Korean guide page as well, if anyone is curious:
    콘텐츠이용료현금화 정보

    Reply
  178. contentsinfo24.clickn.co.kr on

    Thank you, Sara, for sharing how one of your Dad’s paintings came home. Being able to verify the authenticity of Snug Basin yourself must have been a special moment.
    I was moved by your description of his respect for the fantail, his love of the sleepy cove, and the way the little panel began its life in a wet box on the Swell.
    We run a small information service in Korea, and we would be grateful if you visited our site as well:
    콘텐츠이용료현금화 진행 절차

    Reply

Leave A Reply

Featured Workshop

Creating Dynamitic Abstracts
September 5, 2022 to September 9, 2022

_DSC0331 2Want to create great abstracts but not sure where to start and how do you know when the abstract painting is done?

Your knowledge of color and design plays a big part in creating an abstract that will stand out from all the others.   It is also important to understand how shapes provide strength to your painting and how your edges add sensuality.  So, how do you put it all together and come out with a painting that is selected for major shows, and sells?

Design: What is considered a strong design? How to create a design that is exciting.
Color: When it comes to color what colors are best and which colors speak to the viewer?
Are there specialized ways to apply your paint to get the “look” you are searching for?
How do you get an inner glow in your abstracts?
What importance do “Quiet Colors” play in an abstract?
Shape: Are all shapes equal?
What are support shapes?
How do you connect shapes to make them interesting?
Edges: How do you do to make edges sensual?

This workshop/retreat will cover the above subjects giving you the ability and power to take your art to a higher level.

Date for this workshop/retreat is September 5 – 9, 2022 in Taos, New Mexico.

 

Website: www.gwenfox.com

https://painterskeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Invitation-wpcf_298x300.jpegInvitation
20 x 20 inches
Oil on Canvas

Featured Artist

Jane Appleby

I am inspired by the drama of light as it moves along forms, the rhythms and nuances of shapes, and the colours that change from subtle to vivid at any give moment. My expressive compositions, in oils, acrylics or watercolours, are a contemplative and heartfelt response to my experiences, representing the “visual music” I feel. Each brush-stroke is like a colour note or chord playing out the scene offering a connection with the viewer through dynamic movements and vibrant colour.

Share.

Related Posts

Robert and Sara Genn Twice-Weekly Letters

Subscribe and receive the Twice-Weekly letter on art. You’ll be joining a worldwide community of artists.
Subscription is free.