Peter Lely Portrait of Prince Rupert Sells for $153K at Heffel
A newly identified portrait of Prince Rupert, attributed to Peter Lely, fetched CA$217,250 ($153,000) during Heffel Fine Art Auction House's Spring Sale on May 21, exceeding its low estimate by more than twofold. Initially believed to be created by Jacob Huysmans, research revealed its true attribution to Lely. This artwork had been in the possession of the Hudson's Bay Company for over 250 years, thought to be a gift from Prince Rupert at the company's establishment in 1670. The Toronto auction featured 80 lots, generating CA$22.4 million ($16.2 million). E.J. Hughes' "Coastal Boats Near Sidney, BC" (1948) was the top seller at CA$5.7 million ($4.1 million), setting a new record for the artist.
Key facts
- Portrait of Prince Rupert sold for CA$217,250 ($153,000) at Heffel Spring Sale on May 21.
- Painting attributed to Peter Lely, not Jacob Huysmans as previously thought.
- Work had been in Hudson's Bay Company collection for over 250 years.
- Hudson's Bay Company declared bankruptcy in March 2024.
- Heffel appointed to sell the company's art collection, starting late 2025.
- E.J. Hughes' 'Coastal Boats Near Sidney, BC' sold for CA$5.7 million, a record.
- Arthur Lismer's 'Bon Echo Rock' sold for CA$1.1 million.
- A.J. Casson's 'Autumn on the York River' sold for CA$931,250.
- Lawren Harris' 'The Turning Earth' sold for CA$313,250.
- Total sale: CA$22.4 million ($16.2 million).
Entities
Artists
- Prince Rupert
- Antony Van Dyck
- Jacob Huysmans
- Peter Lely
- King Charles I
- King Charles II
- E.J. Hughes
- Arthur Lismer
- A.J. Casson
- Lawren Harris
Institutions
- Heffel Fine Art Auction House
- Hudson Bay Company
- Galleria Palatina
- Royal Collection at Windsor
- Group of Seven
Locations
- London
- Florence
- Italy
- Windsor
- Toronto
- Canada
- British Columbia
- Mazinaw Lake