Lot 83
Late April Daybreak
egg tempera on panel, 1975
signed and dated lower right; titled on the verso.
15.5 x 19.5 in (39.4 x 49.5 cm)
24 x 28 x 1.5 in (61 x 71.1 x 3.8 cm) including frame

Painted in 1975, Late April Daybreak most like depicts the marshland environment just north of Portage la Prairie near the southern edge of Lake Manitoba. The region—dominated by the expansive Delta Marsh—is one of North America’s critical staging grounds during the early spring thaw, when waterfowl return northward along the central flyway to feed and pair off in newly opened meltwaters.

The composition is grounded by a tranquil slough in the foreground, where a pair of pintail ducks rests on the glass-like water, casting dark reflections along the marsh edge. To the right, the bare silhouette of a rounded willow bush anchors the low, flat horizon of dormant reeds and grasses. Above, an expansive prairie sky transitions from the soft rose-pink of early dawn along the horizon into cool violet-grey morning clouds. Across the upper air, scattered flights of waterfowl wing through the sky, recording the seasonal arrival of migratory flocks with quiet precision and understated light.

PROVENANCE

Private Collection, Winnipeg

Auction Estimate $1,500.00 - $2,000.00
Auction has closed
Closed: Dec 3, 08:22:00 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Ends in
Closing: Dec 3, 08:22:00 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Auction opens in 1 hour 39 minutes
Opening: Nov 12, 10:00:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Closing: Dec 3, 08:22:00 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Paddle Registration
ID: 43-15495-2227979
Late
Late
Late

Hans Albert Hochbaum

1911 - 1988 B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.D.(Hon.), C.M.

Hans Albert Hochbaum (February 9, 1911 – March 2, 1988) was an American-born naturalist, artist, and writer who spent most of his career in Manitoba, Canada. Born in Greeley, Colorado, he received his education in Boise, Idaho, and Washington, D.C., before studying fine arts and zoology at Cornell University under Arthur A. Allen, earning a B.Sc. in zoology. He worked for three years as a wildlife technician with the United States National Park Service before moving to Manitoba in 1938 to become the first director of the Delta Waterfowl Research Station at Delta Marsh on Lake Manitoba.

At Delta, Hochbaum directed a research program that involved 95 graduate students from 38 universities conducting M.Sc. and Ph.D. research projects. His work there led to a M.Sc. degree in Wildlife Management under Aldo Leopold at the University of Wisconsin in 1941. He held an Honorary Professorship at the University of Manitoba from 1958 to 1970 and received an honorary LL.D. degree from the university in 1962. In 1970, he took early retirement to focus on art and freelance writing, though he continued his research interests, particularly making 27 field trips to the Canadian Arctic to study tundra wolves and caribou.

Hochbaum was both a scientist and an artist, with skills that complemented his research work. He illustrated his own books with black-and-white sketches and watercolor paintings, and his artistic work extended beyond scientific illustration to include watercolor, egg tempera, and oil paintings. He first exhibited paintings in 1933 and later held twelve one-man shows. His artwork is held in private, corporate, and museum collections, including the Smithsonian in Washington and the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa. In 1970, one of his paintings was presented to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Manitoba.

His written works included three major books: "The Canvasback on a Prairie Marsh" (1944), which won both the Literary Award of the Wildlife Society and the Brewster Medal of the American Ornithologists Union in 1945; "Travels and Traditions of Waterfowl" (1955), which earned a second Literary Award from the Wildlife Society; and "To Ride the Wind" (1973). He also wrote scientific papers, popular articles on waterfowl and conservation topics, and prepared scripts for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television programs, earning their Wilderness Medal in 1970. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors including a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (1961), the Manitoba Golden Boy Award (1962), and membership in the Order of Canada (1979).

Hochbaum married Eleanor Joan Ward in 1939, and they had four children. He died of a heart attack at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, on March 2, 1988, just five days after experiencing his first chest pain, having remained active in painting and writing until his final illness.

Major Fall Fine Art Auction

November 12 - December 3, 2026

Hosted by
Mayberry Fine Art

661 Wall St, Winnipeg MB
(204) 255-5690
mayberryfineart.com
[email protected]

Contact us to make an appointment to preview this item or to sell similar works.

Buyer's Premium
A buyer's premium of 20% will be added to the winning bid.
Bidding Increments
Bidding begins at the reserve price and advances at the following increments:
Bidding Range
Increment
$0.00 - $50.00 $1.00
$50.00 - $100.00 $5.00
$100.00 - $500.00 $10.00
$500.00 - $1,000.00 $25.00
$1,000.00 - $2,500.00 $50.00
$2,500.00 - $10,000.00 $100.00
$10,000.00 - $20,000.00 $200.00
$20,000.00 - $50,000.00 $500.00
$50,000.00 - $100,000.00 $1,000.00
$100,000.00 - $300,000.00 $5,000.00
$300,000.00 - $1,000,000.00 $10,000.00
$1,000,000.00 - $2,000,000.00 $25,000.00
$2,000,000.00+ $50,000.00
How to Bid

Login or register a BidLots.com account to participate in any auction. Track specific lots and artists with real-time notifications on all bidding activity.

Frequently Asked Questions
join-our-mailing-list.png

Create a collector profile for real-time auction updates and notifications on upcoming sales.

Collector Profile Required
You must login to your collector profile to continue. Use the login or register button below to create your collector profile.
With a collector profile you can:
  • Follow items and recieve bidding notifications
  • Receive new listing alerts for your favorite artists & creators
  • Submit specific questions to the auctioneer
  • Request condition reports
  • Request shipping quotes

For general inquiries please view our contact details

Email Verification Required
A verified email address is required to continue. Use the verification button below to confirm your email address.
© 2026 Mayberry Holdings Ltd. All Rights Reserved. (v.3215139344)