Skip to Main Content

Name (English only)

Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic

Brief_Bio

b. 1916 Victoria, B.C. d. 2007 Victoria, B.C.

Artist Detail - v3

Canadian
MYFANWY PAVELIC was born and raised on Vancouver Island. She had little formal art training, but at the age of 15 an exhibition was arranged for her by Canada's foremost West Coast painter, Emily Carr. Pavelic's love of music and talent as a musician attracted her to the career of a concert pianist but when a problem with her wrists barred further development in this field, she turned her creativity to drawing and painting.

For several years she spent part of each year in New York. Here she observed the changing climate of the international art world. She experimented with abstract expressionism but finally reaffirmed her commitment to her own evolving figurative style. She has worked in oil and acrylic and has successfully experimented with tissue collage. Charcoal, one of her favourite media, has been used for both prepatory sketches and finished drawings.

For most of her career, Pavelic focused on the human figure; she is renowned for her portrait paintings. Local and international personalities have come to her Saanich studio for sittings, from Maxwell Bates and her fellow artists of the Victoria "Limners" group, to former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

However, the music world remained a constant interest. Its creative personalities provided her with much subject matter for her paintings and sketches. These people included Mstislav Rostropovich, Paul Badura-Skoda, Glenn Gould, Jan Cherniavsky, Zara Nelsova, Ravi Shankar and her close friend, actress Katharine Hepburn. Pavelic's now well-known portrait of Yehudi Menuhin was commissioned by Lord Thompson for Fleet for Britain's National Portrait Gallery in 1984.

Pavelic was awarded the Order of Canada, was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and held an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria.

She died in Victoria on May 7, 2007.
(1916 - 2007)

Artworks

  • 1 - 50 of 317
ImageTitleDate MadePlace MadeCollectionsMaterialsMeasurementsEditionCredit Line
Rock FormsRock Formsn.d.Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 41.00 cm x 47.50 cm x 0.00 cm-Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
Walter DexterWalter Dexter1985British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 35.56 cm x 36.83 cm x 0.00 cmRelationships SeriesGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Impressions of Yehudi Menuhin (Six Heads)Impressions of Yehudi Menuhin (Six Heads)1975British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperGraphiteoverall: 57.00 cm x 72.50 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
The LimnersThe Limners1975British Columbia, CanadaWorks on BoardAcrylic; Tissue paperoverall: 96.52 cm x 142.88 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Luis Merino and Adan - Hands (Relationships Series)Luis Merino and Adan - Hands (Relationships Series)1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 55.24 cm x 60.96 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Elza And Anne (Relationships Series)Elza And Anne (Relationships Series)1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothAcrylicoverall: 66.04 cm x 53.34 cm x 0.00 cmRelationships SeriesGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Helga GroveHelga Grove1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 36.83 cm x 47.63 cm x 0.00 cmRelationships SeriesGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Yellow HatYellow Hat1975-Works on PaperSerigraphoverall: 50.50 cm x 38.00 cmApGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Yehudi Menuhin - Green HorizonYehudi Menuhin - Green Horizon1982British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 80.96 cm x 96.20 cm x 0.00 cmYehudi MenuhinGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Figure - PeterFigure - Peter1962British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 101.60 cm x 76.20 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Helga and George (Relationships Series)Helga and George (Relationships Series)1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperAcrylic; Charcoalimage size: 60.96 cm x 48.26 cmRelationships SeriesGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Rona Murray And Walter DexterRona Murray And Walter Dexter1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothAcrylicoverall: 73.66 cm x 71.12 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Glenn GouldGlenn Gould1986British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 40.01 cm x 33.02 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Untitled (Portrait of Maxwell Bates)Untitled (Portrait of Maxwell Bates)n.d.Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperMixed media; Watercolour; acrylicoverall: 55.00 cm x 42.00 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of the Estate of Michael C. Williams
Autumn LandscapeAutumn Landscape1970-Works on BoardAcrylicoverall: 65.00 cm x 65.00 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Joanne Di Castri
Chancellor J.B. ClearihueChancellor J.B. Clearihuen.d.Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 109.50 cm x 89.00 cm x 0.00 cm-Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
Nude - Pale Green BackgroundNude - Pale Green Background1945British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 63.50 cm x 50.80 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth IIPortrait of Queen Elizabeth IIn.d.British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 57.70 cm x 46.10 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
MotherMother1963British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 140.32 cm x 71.12 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Yehudi Menuhin (9)Yehudi Menuhin (9)1982British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 50.80 cm x 63.50 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Elizabeth and Stephanie's Hands (Relationship Series)Elizabeth and Stephanie's Hands (Relationship Series)1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 51.44 cm x 38.73 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Foggy MorningFoggy Morning1981British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 39.37 cm x 33.02 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Untitled (Man and Woman)Untitled (Man and Woman)n.d.Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on BoardAcrylicoverall: 55.90 cm x 76.20 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Dr. J. EwingDr. J. Ewingn.d.Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 100.00 cm x 88.00 cm x 0.00 cm-Purchased with assistance of the University of Victoria Art Acquisition Fund
Hindu BoyHindu Boy1937Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 45.72 cm x 35.56 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Untitled (Mischel Cherniavsky)Untitled (Mischel Cherniavsky)--Works on PaperGraphite--Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
A Box is a BoxA Box is a Boxn.d.-Works on PaperMixed Media; newspaper clippings; charcoaloverall: 35.50 cm x 28.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Jan CherniavskyJan Cherniavsky1945British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 50.80 cm x 40.64 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Driftwood BowlDriftwood Bowl1971British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 21.59 cm x 26.67 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Seated In Corridor (Pierre Trudeau)Seated In Corridor (Pierre Trudeau)1991Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 73.00 cm x 49.60 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Zara Nelsova (cellist)Zara Nelsova (cellist)1978British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperGraphiteoverall: 40.01 cm x 58.42 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Hands And Frames (Self-Portrait)Hands And Frames (Self-Portrait)1967British Columbia, CanadaWorks on Papercharcoaloverall: 43.18 cm x 43.81 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Autumn Dream (Variation On a Figure)Autumn Dream (Variation On a Figure)1977British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothAcrylicoverall: 66.04 cm x 76.20 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Yehudi, Menuhin - Hand Playing (Face Faint) #12Yehudi, Menuhin - Hand Playing (Face Faint) #121982British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperConteoverall: 33.02 cm x 25.40 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Untitled (Maxwell Bates)Untitled (Maxwell Bates)n.d.British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperGraphiteoverall: 53.00 cm x 45.70 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Exercise With Head (Self-Portrait)Exercise With Head (Self-Portrait)1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on Clothacrylicoverall: 67.04 cm x 60.96 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Eileen Learoyd and Grania; Relationship SeriesEileen Learoyd and Grania; Relationship Series1984British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothAcrylicoverall: 57.50 cm x 47.00 cm x 0.00 cmRelationship SeriesGift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Couple - Black And WhiteCouple - Black And White1970'sBritish Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 58.00 cm x 77.00 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
The Flute (Paul Horn)The Flute (Paul Horn)1976British Columbia, CanadaWorks on BoardAcrylic; Tissue paperoverall: 152.40 cm x 121.92 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Untitled (Max Bates)Untitled (Max Bates)n.d.Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on BoardAcrylicoverall: 53.70 cm x 76.10 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Blue, Black and OrangeBlue, Black and Orange1980British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperOil pastel; acrylicoverall: 46.99 cm x 38.10 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Yehudi Menuhin (10)Yehudi Menuhin (10)1982British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothAcrylicoverall: 50.80 cm x 60.33 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
John Dunn (N.Y. Period)John Dunn (N.Y. Period)1952British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 44.45 cm x 58.42 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
The Limners (Rough Sketch)The Limners (Rough Sketch)c.1975Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on BoardAcrylicoverall: 76.00 cm x 102.00 cmSketch for The Limners u993.7.108Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Nude Back - RitaNude Back - Rita1964British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 35.56 cm x 25.40 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Yehudi MenuhinYehudi Menuhin1982British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothAcrylicoverall: 76.20 cm x 86.36 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Untitled (female nude)Untitled (female nude)-Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperCharcoaloverall: 59.70 cm x 45.30 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Rosemary (21) - Full FaceRosemary (21) - Full Face1953British Columbia, CanadaWorks on ClothOiloverall: 71.12 cm x 60.96 cm x 0.00 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth IIPortrait of Queen Elizabeth II1983Sidney, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperSerigraphoverall: 58.00 cm x 46.30 cm1 of 112 similar works (300+ with an inscription)Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
Head and Hands Playing  (Yehudi Menuhin #6)Head and Hands Playing (Yehudi Menuhin #6)1982Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaWorks on PaperConteoverall: 51.00 cm x 56.20 cm-Gift of Dr. Myfanwy Spencer Pavelic
  • 1 - 50 of 317