Caviar20 is excited to be offering this important and large-scale Gershon Iskowitz canvas, from the first chapter of his life-long career in abstraction.

The legend of how Iskowitz embraced (and then committed to) abstraction begins in 1967, the year of this painting. Thanks to a Canadian Council grant, Iskowitz took a helicopter tour of the north. The experience of seeing the massive expanse of trees from above inspired a major redirection of his aesthetic and approach.

This vibrant oil painting epitomizes his helicopter experience, serving as a perfect example of Iskowitz's iconic style. Here Iskowitz still maintains proximity to representational or figurative painting as bushels of jade green, highlighted by citrine yellow and rust orange, seem to emerge beneath a dense off-white-colored blanket of clouds. Rather than depict landscape with a vanishing point, horizon, or en-plein-air perspective, Iskowitz presents nature from above.

One can ask whether Iskowitz is (still) synthesizing German Expressionism. He is depicting something from the real world, yet using color and form in a poetic and personal way. Of course, this approach would be modified if not abandoned as most of Iskowitz's works going forward release these immediate allusions to landscape and treetops.

It is also worth mentioning that many of Iskowitz's paintings of the late 1960s are on a smaller domestic scale. It is only in the following decade that Iskowitz embraces large-scale painting.

Most major institutions in Canada hold a painting from the late 1960s, and this is a rare opportunity to acquire a work of such caliber and importance.

The Art Gallery of York University holds its sister painting in its permanent collection, "Autumn Landscape #2", 1967.

Very good condition (with minor wear to the frame)