The Doctor Who Discovered Insulin Was Also an Artist—and His Painting of His Laboratory Just Sold for a Record Price

Naomi Rea: Artnet

The Canadian doctor who won the Nobel prize for his role in discovering insulin was an accomplished artist as well as a remarkable scientist. Frederick Banting’s 1925 painting of the lab where he did his lifesaving work at the University of Toronto sold yesterday, November 21, at Heffel Fine Art for ten times its estimate after a dramatic saleroom battle.

“Twenty paddles went up at once and you could tell that it was a very passion driven sale,” said David Heffel, the head of the Canadian auction house. When his gavel fell The Lab had sold for $236,862 with premium (or C$313,250). Heffel told artnet News that it was the most complicated lot he had experienced in his career as an auctioneer. …Read More

Pictured: Sir Frederick Grant Banting, The Lab (1925). Courtesy Heffel Fine Art.