The Modern West

Gerard Curtis Delano and Southwest modernism shine bright at Santa Fe Art Auction’s signature sale.

On November 14, Santa Fe Art Auction held its annual Signature Annual Auction in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The sale, known for its emphasis on Southwest modernism, featured another star this year: Gerard Curtis Delano.

The Colorado painter, recognized for his stylized figures and colorful compositions, achieved more than $1.1 million across nine lots, including five lots in the top 10. The top lot was The Orange Cloud (est. $500/700,000), showing two Native American figures on horseback in front of a beautifully shaped cloud billowing over the horizon. The work sold for $526,500. Not far behind it was Desert Thunderhead (est. $300/500,000), which sold for $351,000, and then Vermilion Cliffs (est. $100/150,000), which sold for $93,600.

Gerard Curtis Delano (1890-1972), The Orange Cloud, oil on canvas, 32¼ x 42¼”. Estimate: $500/700,000 SOLD: $526,500

David Bradley, Scholder in New York, 1984, oil on canvas, 36 x 30”. Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $4/8,000 SOLD: $15,210

Elsewhere in the sale were two works by Taos Society of Artists co-founder Eanger Irving Couse: The Camping Place (est. $100/150,000) that sold for $84,825 and Indian Brave Kneeling Before Firelight (est. $30/40,000) that sold for $52,650.

Gustave Baumann (1881-1971), Palo Verde and Ocotea, 1928, color woodcut, ed. 20 of 120, 9½ x 11”. Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $3/5,000 SOLD: $40,950Gerard Curtis Delano (1890-1972), Wilderness Silence, watercolor on paper,
11¾ x 21” Estimate: $18/25,000 SOLD: $64,350

Among the highlights are several record breakers, including one for Navajo painter Tony Abeyta, whose work Autumn Rains (est. $8/12,000), which sold for $32,175 and nearly tripled his previous auction record of $11,325. Chippewa painter David Bradley also achieved a new auction record with his piece Scholder in New York (est. $4/8,000), which sold for $15,210. Finally, another record was set for Gustave Baumann, whose piece Palo Verde and Ocotea (est. $3/5,000) soared to $40,950.

Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), Talpas Valley, 1933, watercolor on paper, 16¾ x 22 5/8”. Estimate: $6/8,000 SOLD: $21,060

Tony Abeyta, Autumn Rains, oil on canvas, 24 x 20”. Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $8/12,000 SOLD: $32,175

Other artists who performed well were Andrew Wyeth, Agnes Martin, Georgia O’Keeffe, John Cowan and Emil Bisttram, whose 1933 watercolor Talpas Valley sold for $21,060, nearly tripling its high estimate of $8,000.

The two-session sale saw considerable bidding online and via telephone, both of which Santa Fe Art Auction expanded due to the pandemic.