Harold Town (1924-1990) remains one of the most accomplished and fascinating characters from the "Painters Eleven" group.

While Town coined the group's name (based on the number of artists who simply attended their first meeting) his output was diverse and ever-changing. He was nicknamed the Picasso of Canada due to his constant reinvention.

By the time the group disbanded, Town had established that he was restlessly prolific and explorative, regularly trying new media and modes.

While Town is a major character in 20th-century Canadian abstraction, he also completed a significant amount of figurative works beginning in the 1970s.

His "Toy Horse" series is his most successful and iconic body of figurative work. The subject served as an avenue of exploration, reflecting the artist's eclectic and evolving aesthetic.

Inspired by a Christmas gift, Town reimagined the subject through a significant number of variations between 1976-1983, both stylized and intricately mechanical appearing.

This intimate painting is a striking output from this series, depicting the subject with bold, graphic, forms and confident colors.

Click here to see another example of Town’s toy horses.

Condition: Very good