A semi-annual live auction in Vancouver saw notable Canadian art sell for a staggering $17.2 million.

The auction at Heffel Fine Art Auction House saw strong competition for museum-quality works by Lawren Harris, a founding member of Canada’s Group of Seven. The presale estimates were around $9 to $12 million, but they ended up fetching much more.

Photo Credit: Heffel Fin Art Auction House"The highly anticipated Lawren Harris canvas, Laurentian Landscape smashed presale estimates and sold for $2,183,000 (Estimate: $1,200,000 – 1,600,000)

"We're ecstatic, not only with the results of the auction but with the strong attendance at our previews," said Robert Heffel, Vice President of Heffel Fine Art Auction House. "Sharing this group of historically important works with the public is as exciting for us as seeing the pieces find their rightful homes."

Three important Harris paintings sold in the spring auction, led by the historic Laurentian Landscape for $2,183,000. The 1913-1914 canvas is known as a pivotal piece from the artist's extensive career and a cornerstone for the establishment of the Group of Seven.

Photo Credit: Heffel Fine Art Auction House"E.J. Hughes saw a new artist record of $1,593,000 with the sale of the rare post-war masterpiece, The Post Office at Courtenay, BC (Estimate: $600,000 – 800,000)

Another blockbuster in the spring sale was The Post Office at Courtenay, BC, an exceedingly rare canvas by West Coast landscape painter E.J. Hughes. The rich history of the painting and extensive bidder participation helped the work set an artist record at $1,593,000. Six works by Hughes in the auction totalled an impressive $2.14 million.

For full results and more information on the works in the spring auction, please visit www.heffel.com.