Scottsdale Art Auction
April 12-13, 2024
7176 MAIN STREET • SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85251
www.scottsdaleartauction.com

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — A rare and important oil painting by Charlie Russell, “The Broken Rope,” highlights the Scottsdale Art auction’s latest two-day sale, set to take place April 12-13 in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. “The Broken Rope,” one of only a handful of Russell oils to come to market over the last decades is expected to bring $5/7 million, a result seldom seen in even the bustling Western art market.

“The Broken Rope,” completed in 1904, captures the danger and drama of the cowboy life as only someone who has lived that life would know. The painting anticipates a collision between cow and cowboy and represents Russell’s skills at depicting the action and drama of the moment. The painting was produced during one of Russell’s most active and important moments of his career as Russell expert Joan Carpenter Troccoli acknowledges when she writes, “‘The Broken Rope’ represents one of Russell’s notable periodic advances in technical skill and confidence.”

Along with the painting, the auction also boasts an important Russell bronze, “A Bronc Twister,” which carries an estimate of $200/300,000. Another important bronze, Frederic Remington’s “The Cheyenne,” will also cross the auction block with an estimate of $100/150,000. On the historic side of the market, the auction has an extensive offering of material from the Taos Society of Artists, including multiple pieces from Joseph Sharp and Eanger Irving Couse. One Couse, “The Sculptor” (1914) is expected to fetch $90/120,000. Staying in Taos, Nicolai Fechin’s oil “Carmelita” is expected to bring $300/500,000, while Walter Ufer’s “A Singer” is estimated at $50/75,000.

Other historic paintings of note include Maynard Dixon’s “Pima Indian, Arizona,” 1940 ($55/75,000), Winold Reiss’ “Indian Madonna” ($25/35,000) and William R. Leigh’s “Pack Trip” ($250/450,000).

The Scottsdale Art Auction has always found success in paintings by members of the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA), and this year should be no different. Included in this year’s sale are pieces from early members of the group, such as John Ford Clymer’s “Clearing The Palo Duro” ($175/275,000), Tom Lovell’s “Cottonwood Gazette” and oil study ($200/300,000) and Frank McCarthy’s “Warriors Return” ($20/30,000.) Also included will be works by current members of the CAA, including a pair of Martin Grelle’s “Distant Signal” ($150/200,000) and “The Challenge” ($150/250,000.)

Works by some of the most in demand Western artists working today include Mark Maggiori, Logan Hagege and Kyle Polzin. Maggiori’s “The Crossing” ($75/100,000) is a large action scene depicting covered wagons crossing a mountainous Western landscape. Hagege is represented by two paintings, including “Pursuit of Happiness” — 52-by-54-inch oil of blanketed figures and riders at the Taos pueblo. The painting has an estimate of $80/120,000. Kyle Polzin’s “Buffalo Shield” ($65/95,000) will surely see interest with the audience as will his smaller painting “Spirit of the Plains” ($18/28,000).

The auction is also known for its annual selection of works by G. Harvey. This year, “Tracks Below the Rim” and “Boot Top Crossing” are estimated at $75/100,000 each, while a rare New York scene “Memories of Manhattan” is estimated at $20/30,000.

Session I is April 12 and Session II is April 13. Registration and preview is 9–11 am; auction begins at 11 am.

Scottsdale Art Auction is at 7178 East Main Street. For more information, 480-945-0225 or www.scottsdaleartauction.com.

Eanger Irving Couse Estimate: $150,000 – 250,000 24″ x 29″ Oil
Maynard Dixon 16″x20″ Oil Estimate: $100,000 -150,000
Frank Tenney Johnson 14″ x 11″ Oil Estimate: $40,000 – 60,000
Charles Russell 24″ x 36″ Oil Estimate: $5,000,000 – 7,000,000
Birger Sandzen 60″ x 80″ Oil Estimate: $250,000 – 350,000
George H. Durrie 18″ x 24″ Oil Estimate: $100,000 -150,000

Joseph H. Sharp 25″ x 30″ Oil Estimate: $90,000 – 120,000
Charles M. Russell 17″ x 14″ W/C Estimate: $800,000 – 1,200,000
Ed Mell 22″ x 22″ Oil Estimate: $18,000 – 24,000
Frederic Remington 19.75″ H Bronze Estimate: $100,000 – 150,000
W.R. Leigh 22″ x 30″ Oil Estimate: $250,000 – 450,000
Norman Rockwell 27″ x 20″ Oil Estimate: $60,000 – 90,000

EANGER IRVING COUSE 24″ x 29″ OIL ESTIMATE: $150,000 – 250,000
WILLIAM R. LEIGH 22″ x 30″ OIL ESTIMATE: $250,000 – 450,000
CHARLES M. RUSSELL 24″ X 36″ OIL ESTIMATE: $5,000,000 – 7,000,000
RICHARD SCHMID 24″ X 18″ OJL ESTIMATE: $50,000 – 75,000
GEORGE HENRY DURRIE 18″ x 24″ OIL ESTIMATE: $100,000 – 150,000
BIRGER SANDZEN 60″ X 80″ OIL ESTIMATE: $250,000 – 350,000

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7176 MAIN STREET • SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85251 • 480-945-0225 • www.scottsdaleartauction.com