Luc Plamondon’s Private Art Collection: 6 Works Worth $525,000 Head to Auction

The intersection of lyrical genius and visual artistry is taking center stage in the Canadian art market as renowned lyricist Luc Plamondon puts a significant portion of his private collection up for auction. Known globally for his work on rock operas such as Starmania and Notre-Dame-de-Paris, as well as hits for Céline Dion and Isabelle Boulay, Plamondon is now transitioning from the world of music to the high-stakes environment of fine art sales.

A selection of major works from the collection, heavily featuring Quebec’s contemporary masters, is being presented by the Heffel auction house. The collection is currently on a pan-Canadian tour, including a high-profile stop in Montreal from April 30 to May 4, 2026, allowing the public to view the pieces before they head to Toronto for the final sale. This move marks a strategic “renewal and transmission” of a collection built over decades, moving from a private sanctuary to a fresh generation of collectors.

The auction is structured in two distinct phases: a curated online sale and a prestigious live event. Between May 7 and May 28, approximately 40 lots—including canvases, works on paper, and a sculpture by Pierre Ayot—will be available via an online platform. Though, the pinnacle of the event will occur on May 21, 2026, at Heffel’s Toronto headquarters, where six exceptional pieces will be auctioned live. These works represent the core of Plamondon’s aesthetic preferences, specifically non-figurative art from the 1960s and 1970s.

The Crown Jewels of the Plamondon Collection

The six works slated for the live auction on May 21 represent some of the most influential names in Canadian abstraction. The selection includes two works by Marcelle Ferron, as well as pieces by Serge Lemoyne, Guido Molinari, Lise Gervais, and Claude Tousignant. These artists are central to the development of modern art in Quebec, often characterized by bold colors and an imposing presence in a physical space.

Among the most anticipated lots is a 1959 untitled work by Marcelle Ferron, created during her time in Paris. This specific piece reflects a pivotal moment in Ferron’s career when she gained access to new pigments and received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, allowing her to produce larger, more structured canvases. The estimated value for this piece is between 150,000 $ and 250,000 $, according to reporting from Radio-Canada.

Another standout is the work Structure rythmique vert-bleu by Guido Molinari. This piece represents the high complete of the collection’s estimates, with a valuation reaching 300,000 $, as noted by Le Devoir. The lowest estimates for the live lots range from 25,000 $ to 35,000 $.

A Legacy Built on Emotion and Success

For Luc Plamondon, the act of collecting was never merely an investment; it was a chronicle of his professional and personal life. In a statement released through the auction house, Plamondon explained that the collection was guided by emotion and a deep attachment to the artists’ visions. He noted that many of the works were acquired during pivotal moments in his life, often following major successes, serving as a way to celebrate those milestones.

“The seeing it today be transmitted to a new generation of collectors is both moving and natural. I hope that these works will continue to live, to dialogue and to inspire.” Luc Plamondon, lyricist and collector

Marie-Hélène Busque, Director of the Heffel Gallery in Montreal, describes Plamondon’s approach as “careful and deliberate.” She suggests that there is a natural dialogue between the trajectory of Plamondon’s career in music and his evolution as a collector. Even as the live auction focuses on the bold abstractions of the 60s and 70s, the online sale is expected to reveal a broader spectrum of styles and more recent works.

The Broader Context: Heffel’s Spring Auction

The Plamondon collection is a centerpiece of Heffel’s larger Spring 2026 auction, which features a diverse array of museum-quality Canadian and international art. The total estimated value of the entire spring sale is between 11 million and 15 million Canadian dollars, as detailed in an official announcement by the Heffel auction house.

Beyond the Plamondon lots, the event includes several other high-value items:

• E.J. Hughes: A 1948 canvas titled Coastal Boats Near Sidney, BC, consigned by the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, with an estimate between 1,250,000 $ and 1,750,000 $.
• Jean Paul Riopelle: A rare and important work from 1950.
• Sir Peter Lely: A 17th-century portrait of Prince Rupert, originating from the collection of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
• Alex Colville: An early celebrated work, with some of his pieces having been previously exhibited at the MoMA in New York.

The live auction on May 21 will be split into two sessions: “Post-War and Contemporary Art,” followed by “Classic Master, Impressionist and Modern Art.” To ensure global reach, Heffel will utilize its virtual bidding room, allowing international collectors to participate in real-time from the Toronto venue.

Key Auction Timeline

The transition of these works from a private collection to the public market underscores the enduring value of the Refus global era and the continued prestige of Quebec’s abstract movement. As Plamondon steps back from these specific pieces, the art world awaits the final hammer price on May 21 to see how the market values this lyrical legacy.

The next confirmed checkpoint for interested collectors is the start of the online bidding process on May 7, 2026. We invite readers to share their thoughts on the influence of Quebec’s abstract art in the comments below.