Everett Lewis’s 1972 oil painting Two Black Cats sold for $18,400. Jones Auction House.
A Saint John auction house has made history with a record-setting sale of a painting by Nova Scotia folk artist Everett Lewis, the husband of the legendary Maud Lewis. The painting, Two Black Cats (1972), fetched $18,400 at Jones Auction House, breaking the previous international record for the artist’s work.
The sale far exceeded the painting’s estimated value of $4,500. The buyer’s name was not released, but the piece had been part of a private Nova Scotia collection for over fifty years after being purchased directly from Everett in 1972.
Jones Auction House announced that this sale marks the highest recorded auction price for any Everett Lewis painting worldwide, reflecting a growing appreciation for Maritime folk art within Canada’s expanding art market.
From Maud’s Partner to Artist in His Own Right
Everett Lewis often helped Maud prepare paints and boards for her now-iconic works. After her passing in 1970, he continued painting, often drawing inspiration from her subjects and folk art style.
Sarah Jones, co-owner and curator of the auction house, said Everett’s paintings usually sell for between $3,000 and $5,000. She explained that rising prices for Maud’s artwork have made Everett’s pieces more attractive to collectors looking for affordable alternatives.
“Because the Maud prices are quite high and inaccessible for some buyers, there is more of an interest in Everett,” Jones said.
Growing Interest in the Lewises
Interest in both artists increased sharply after the release of the 2016 biographical film Maudie, which told the story of Maud and Everett’s life together. The film brought renewed attention to the couple’s unique contributions to Canadian folk art.
“All kinds of people know who this artist is, and they want a piece of her story or a piece of their story,” Jones said. She added that curators, art historians, and collectors are recognizing the cultural value of their works, especially Maud’s.
A Maud Lewis painting brought in $49,450 at the 2025 Fall Art & Luxury Auction. Jones Auction House.
Jones Auction House has developed a reputation for handling high-value Lewis pieces. In 2024, the auction house sold two of Maud’s paintings for $90,850 and $87,400.
The latest sale was part of the 2025 Fall Art & Luxury Auction, which featured artwork and designer pieces from across Atlantic Canada. Two Maud Lewis paintings were also sold, including one that brought in $49,450, nearly double its estimate.
The Value Behind the “Black Cats”
Nova Scotia art dealer Chad Brown said the high sale price for Everett’s painting surprised him but made sense to collectors. Maud Lewis painted a similar black cat piece that remains one of her most famous works.
“There’s something with the black cat image that resonates with people more than any other Lewis image,” Brown explained. “If one of Maud’s black cat paintings isn’t available, Everett’s version becomes the next best thing.”
He said it’s too early to know if Everett’s record-breaking sale will start a trend, but it highlights a growing recognition of his work. Brown also noted that the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia now includes Everett’s paintings in its permanent collection, a move that shows greater appreciation for his contributions.
