Sylvia Lefkovitz "Tortillas Factory" Oil On Canvas

Updated September 5, 2026

An original mid-century oil on canvas by celebrated Canadian artist Sylvia Lefkovitz, depicting a weathered streetscape entitled "Tortillas Factory." Painted in 1959, during the formative years of Lefkovitz's international career, the work captures the quiet atmosphere of a village façade with expressive palette-knife texture and subtle tonal harmonies.A solitary figure approaches the dark entrance of a modest building, while sun-washed walls and simplified architectural forms create a timeless composition. The heavily worked surface and restrained palette are characteristic of Lefkovitz's early painterly style before she became internationally recognized for her monumental sculpture. Date: 1959 Medium: Oil on canvas Signed: Lower right, "Lefkovitz '59" Inscribed: "Tortillas Factory" on stretcher verso Canvas Size: 28 × 34 in. Frame: Unframed Artist Biography: Sylvia Lefkovitz (1924–1987) was one of Canada's most accomplished twentieth-century artists, recognized internationally as both a painter and sculptor. Born in Montreal, she studied at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts School, and Columbia University before continuing her artistic education in Florence, Italy, where she mastered the traditional lost-wax bronze casting process.Although best known for her monumental bronze sculptures and public commissions, Lefkovitz maintained an active painting practice throughout her career. Her works have been exhibited internationally and are represented in numerous public collections, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the New Brunswick Museum, the Musée d'art de Joliette, and other Canadian institutions. Her achievements were recognized with numerous international awards, particularly in Italy, where she enjoyed considerable acclaim.

Register & bid on this lot at Bidspirit →

More lots in this auction

• George Glenn Still Life Oil on Canvas, 1990
• Istvan Lendvay "Day Approaching Night" Acrylic
• Fernand Leduc "S.G. 16" Serigraph 69/100
• Helene Trudel "Exercise No. 6" (1978) Oil on Paper
• Fernand Leduc "S.G. 14" Serigraph 56/100
• Moira Clark "Day Glow" (1980) – Artist's Proof
• Guy Michon Joute de Corbeaux '64 Acrylic on Canvas
• Audrey Riller Marker and Ink on Paper

See all lots in IMPORTANT CANADIAN ART AUCTION Wednesday Sept 16th 7pm →