Desert Views

Major works from Gerard Curtis Delano are among the highlights at the upcoming Santa Fe Art Auction.

On November 14, the Santa Fe Art Auction will return with its 27th Signature Annual Auction in Santa Fe, New Mexico. These sales tend to have many highlights, including works by women painters of the Southwest and great examples of American modernism that flourished in New Mexico. While those categories will be represented in the sale, the auction has another star this year: Gerard Curtis Delano.Gerard Curtis Delano (1890-1972), Desert Thundercloud, oil on canvas, 40 x 48” Estimate: $300/500,000

“The Colorado painter and illustrator will have a dozen works in the sale, all from the same Arizona collection and all spectacular,” says Gillian Blitch, president and CEO of Santa Fe Art Auction. “These are important and wonderful works by Delano, from people who had an absolute love affair with his work. They are truly remarkable pieces.”

Leading the pack is The Orange Cloud, showing two Navajo riders on horses amid a desert landscape. The painting, estimated at $500,000 to $700,000, has a contemporary design with simple cloud forms and a ribbon of watery reflection that runs through the middle of the piece. “The figures are front and center with this one, and they are wearing these beautiful accessories with all these wonderful colors,” Blitch says. “You really get a sense of the family that is being nurtured here, especially by the presence of the small foal in the painting.”

Martin Grelle, The Wood Gatherers, 1989, oil on canvas, 36 x 60” Estimate: $60/80,000

Another important Delano is Desert Thundercloud, a 48-inch landscape showing an immense cloud formation that hangs over the desert floor. Look closely into the painting and a small sheepherder reveals itself, as does a flock of sheep that seem to blend into the desert vegetation. The work is estimated at $300,000 to $500,000. Other Delano offerings include the nocturne Bears in the Moonlight (est. $100/150,000), Vermilion Cliffs (est. $100/150,000) and several rare watercolor works. Gerard Curtis Delano (1890-1972),The Orange Cloud, 32¼ x 42¼” Estimate: $500/700,000

Other lots in the sale include Martin Grelle’s 1989 work The Wood Gatherers (est. $60/80,000), Dave McGary’s 1996 bronze The Rainmaker (est. $10/15,000), David Bradley’s painting of Fritz Scholder titled Scholder in New York (est. $4/8,000), a polychrome plate (est. $15/25,000) made by Maria Martinez and Popovi Da, and Alyce Frank’s diptych At the End of Winter (est. $8/12,000). Alyce Frank, At the End of Winter, oil on canvas, 47½ x 23½” (each panel) Estimate: $8/12,000

The live sale will be available online, but Blitch is hopeful that live bidders will also be allowed to be in the room. “Social distancing and New Mexico protocols will be followed, but we’re optimistic in live, in-person bidding,” she says. “We’re feeling very strong about the market, especially as we’ve increased our sales. Things are looking very good. We’re averaging a solid 85 percent sell-through rate across our sales, and that is very encouraging for the future.” —

Santa Fe Art Auction’s Signature Annual Auction
November 14, 2020
932 Railfan Road, Santa Fe NM 87505
(505) 954-5858, www.santafeartauction.com