Description:

Sorel Etrog, RCA (1933-2014), Canadian
DUET, 1960-1962

patinated bronze
signed and numbered 3/7 to base, stamped; cast in 1962
49 x 9 x 9 in — 114.3 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm

Estimate: $15,000—20,000 CAD

  • Provenance:

    Galerie Moos Ltd., Toronto, ON
    Private Collection, Toronto, ON, acquired from the above in 1963

  • Dimensions: 49 x 9 x 9 in — 114.3 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm
  • Exhibited: Sorel Etrog, 19 Mar - 10 Apr 1963, Gallery Moos Limited, Toronto, ON, listed under no. 12.
  • Literature: Pierre Restany, Sorel Etrog (Munich, London, New York: Prestel Verlag, 2001), repro. 67.
  • Medium: patinated bronze
  • Notes: No Canadian sculptor understood and created their own version of mid-twentieth century modernism like Sorel Etrog did in the 1960s. The three bronze sculptures of this period offered in this auction embody his achievement, and their enduring appeal attests to their quality and rigour.

    Following his earliest mature works, the thoroughly abstract Painted Constructions (1952–1960), Etrog’s work regularly drew inspiration from the visible world and from anthropomorphized figures. Starting in the late 1950s and through the process of abstracting from the human figure, Etrog choreographed the viewer’s gaze.

    In Duet (1960-1962) Etrog refined a form he used regularly from 1959 to 1963. Concentrating a standing figure to simple graphic marks of a kernel, knot and filament for its head, torso and legs, Etrog developed a personal syntax. These spare and serene works are unmistakably Etrog’s and in their sophistication they acknowledge and echo the austerity and grace of the bronze sculptures of Alberto Giacometti and Aristide Maillol.

    This sculpture was conceived as Etrog’s career was taking off. It represents the essence of Etrog’s sculpture during this definitive moment in his career.

    We thank Gregory Humeniuk, art historian, consultant and curator, for this essay.
  • Condition: Very good overall condition.

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November 20, 2025 8:00 PM EST
Toronto, ON, CA

Waddington's

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000