More than 300 Western paintings and sculptures will hit the auction block during Hindman’s aptly titled Western Paintings & Sculpture Auction on October 29. This marks the first time the auction house has hosted this sale, honing in specifically on historic and contemporary works from all areas of the Western market. 
Fritz Scholder (1937-2005), Indian Messiah, oil on canvas, 80 x 68” Estimate: $20/40,000
“The demand for Western art has continued to grow—we saw overwhelming results from our June auction [of Arts of the American West] and we are looking forward to the continued success in this category,” says the auction house’s director and senior specialist of Western art, Kate Hlavin. “October’s auction should generate a lot of excitement for Western art collectors with the exceptional group of works our team has assembled.”
Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953), Wind River Country, oil on canvas, 20 x 27” Estimate: $100/150,000
Many of the pieces arriving to the account are fresh to the market finds including two paintings by Henry Farny and four from Joseph Henry Sharp. “They’ve all never been on the market before, and have been in family collections since they were acquired,” explains Hlavin.
The works by Farny, who was born in Ohio but recognized for his paintings of the Southwest, come from the Cincinnati estate of Ellen Graydon Hill. The 1905 painting Moving Camp (est. $200/300,000) and the 1901 work on paper Deer Hunting (est. $100/150,000) are indicative of the artist’s most iconic subject matter.
Henry Farny (1847-1916), Moving Camp, 1905, oil on board, 12 x 9” Estimate: $200/300,000
One of the pieces by Sharp in the sale is Wind River Country, an oil on canvas depicting Shoshone Indians at the Wind River Range, from the Midwest collection of William L. Taylor. It is estimated to sell between $100,000 and $150,000. From the collection of Ohio philanthropist and collector Dorothy “Bunny” Whitaker is Sharp’s Portrait of Indian with Drum and Pipe (est. $40/60,000).
Billy Schenck, Days of August, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 85½” Estimate: $8/12,000
Several important institutions are selling works in the auction. Two Joseph Imhof paintings will hit the block supporting the mission of the Couse-Sharp Historic Foundation, including The Camofleurs (est. $8/12,000). There will also be property to benefit the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, works to benefit the Booth Western Art Museum and items from a Southwestern museum. Eight pieces by Beatrice Mandelman from the Mandelman-Ribak Collection to benefit the University of New Mexico are available including the Taos modernist’s work 90-NY04, which is estimated at $7,000 to $9,000.
Joseph Imhof (1871-1955), The Camofleurs, oil on linen, 30 x 46” Estimate: $8/12,000
Two major paintings by Kenneth Riley will be in the sale: Indian Camp in Mount Valley (est. $30/50,000) and Canyon Morning (est. $20/40,000). Back from the Hills, by Oscar E. Berninghaus, is another standout estimated to sell between $20,000 and $30,000. Contemporary works in the sale include pieces from Billy Schenck, Howard Post, Fritz Scholder, Louisa McElwain, Ed Mell and Earl Biss, while sculptures are from artists such as Harry Jackson, Grant Speed, Star Liana York, Buck McCain and Richard Greeves.
The sale is set to take place live in the auction house’s Denver showroom, with bidding also online, by phone and absentee. Previews of the sale are available by appointment only. —
Western Paintings & Sculpture Auction
October 29, 2020, 10 a.m.
Hindman, 2737 Larimer Street,
Suite C, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 825-1855
www.hindmanauctions.com
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