Charlie Russell doesn’t seem like he would have been an overly sentimental person, which is one way of saying that he probably wouldn’t mind too much that the show bearing his name wasn’t taking place around his March 19 birthday.
It’s around that March date that Great Falls, Montana, rolls out the red carpet for art collectors of all varieties as Russell’s hometown celebrates his contributions to Western art. One of the key components of the festivities is The Russell, the exhibition and sale hosted by the C.M. Russell Museum. But due to the pandemic this past spring, many of the events in Great Falls were postponed to August.
Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Piegans, 1908, oil on canvas, 17½ x 14¼" Estimate: $2.5/3.5 million
R.S. Riddick, Dawning Voice, oil, 28 x 28" Estimate: $32/45,000
The shift from a spring show to a summer show will be obvious to returning guests, particularly since some of the events will take place outside in the gorgeous Montana air. “We anticipate a flock of guests to Great Falls and we’re thrilled to have them,” says Duane Braaten, director of art and philanthropy at the C.M. Russell Museum. “One of the big changes for us is that all of the events will be taking place at the museum campus, which was recently expanded by taking over a street that cut through the property. Bulldozers are finishing right now, so when visitors arrive we’ll be 100 percent ready for folks to come see our new front lawn and experience the show at the museum for the first time.”
Braaten adds that one of the perks of having the auction portion of The Russell at the museum is that the whole exhibition and sale preview can remain on view on the walls of the galleries. Guests can browse through the museum, and then also experience the sale and other events in large tents on the grounds of the campus. “We’re feeling great about this new design,” he says.
Eanger Irving Couse (1866-1936), Turkey Hunter in the Aspens, oil, 20 x 24" Estimate: $90/120,000
Jeremy Winborg, Raising Warriors, oil, 53 x 36" Estimate: $20/25,000
This year’s festivities include an artist open house on August 19; the Art in Auction quick-draw event, followed by the Art in the Park live painting demonstrations, both on August 20; the Russell Educational Symposium on August 21, featuring Western scholar and author Larry Len Peterson; and then, on August 21, The Russell live auction. Additionally, there will also be an August 20 book signing by prominent Western collector Tom Petrie, who recently published Nancy Russell’s lost third book on her husband, Charlie Russell.
This year’s sale will offer a number of important Russell works, including the major 1908 oil Piegans, showing a trio of riders crossing the plains with one of Russell’s famous buffalo skulls in the grass at their feet. “This is one of Russell’s most recognizable subjects,” Braaten says, “so we expect a lot of attention on this one.
Charles Schreyvogel (1861-1912), Indian on Horseback, oil, 16 x 12" Estimate: $125/150,000
Thirteen Russell works will be in the sale, including Drifting, a moody cowboy scene in the rain with cattle; Close Quarters, showing two riders in a tricky spot as they are being attacked; the ink drawing Hold Her Zeb Im Commin; and the 1898 pen, ink and watercolor work The Christmas Dinner. “We always try to get some great Russell pieces, and this year is no exception,” says Braaten.
Other historic works include a rare Charles Schreyvogel piece, Indian on Horseback; several excellent Edgar S. Paxson paintings; three works by Russell contemporary Olaf C. Seltzer, and two works by Seltzer’s grandson, W. Steven Seltzer; two works by John Fery; and a magnificent work on paper, Bucking Bronc with Rider, by Edward Borein.
Olaf C. Seltzer (1877-1957), Indian Scout, watercolor, 10 x 8" Estimate: $12/18,000
The sale is also known for its rich variety of work from contemporary Western artists. The artworks are juried into the show, and anyone can submit a piece to the jury. Competition is fierce, with as many as 1,000 works received in any year, and only a fraction of those are actually chosen. That model allows there to be numerous surprises in the sale, including some that catch even the artists off guard. Artists that have had massive success at the sale includes R. Tom Gilleon, Adeline Halvorson and Jeremy Winborg. All three will be contributing new works. Winborg’s piece, Raising Warriors (est. $20/25,000), is a stunning trio of Native American women holding various weapons on the prairie. R.S. Riddick will be showing a major new work at the sale, Dawning Voice, estimated at $32,000 to $45,000.
Jim Carson, Those Terrible Mountains, Lewis & Clark Cross the Bitterroots, oil, 54 x 52" Estimate: $8/15,000
Jim Carson, known for his large scenes with many figures, has two pieces in the sale: Overnight on the Oregon Trail, showing families near covered wagons filling pails of water in a creek, and Those Terrible Mountains, Lewis & Clark Cross the Bitterroots, a dramatic snow scene showing riders pulling and pushing horses up a narrow snow-filled ledge amid rocky peaks. Both pieces are estimated at $8,000 to $15,000 each.
As with other years, The Russell is a fundraiser for the museum, so a percentage of every sale goes right back into programming for the museum.
“Charlie Russell’s impact on the West is what keeps his story so alive, compelling and relevant today. He was such an interesting person, just truly magnetic to those he met,” Braaten says. “His life will live on in his great artwork, but also this museum.” —
The Russell
The Russell Opening
July 23-August 19
All pieces being offered at The Russell
go on display in a temporary exhibit.
Where: C.M. Russell Museum,
400 13th Street N., Great Falls, MT 59401
Cost: Free for museum members
Artist Open House
August 19, 3-5 p.m.
Visitors are invited to see the auction art, meet many of the artists and join in kick-off festivities for Western Art Week.
Where: C.M. Russell Museum
Cost: Free public event
Art in Action
August 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
A variation of a traditional quick-draw event, Art in Action allows artists several hours to finish a piece of art while interacting with guests. The event culminates in a live auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the museum.
Where: C.M. Russell Museum
Cost: $65 members / $100 non-members
Art in the Park
August 20, 2-5 p.m.
Art in the Park is an outside event with live art demonstrations throughout the museum grounds. The event includes a book signing by Tom Petrie.
Where: C.M. Russell Museum
Cost: Free public event
The Russell Educational Symposium
August 21, 8:30 a.m.
Western scholar and author Larry Len Peterson will discuss his new book, The American West Reimagined. A book signing will commence after the discussion.
Where: C.M. Russell Museum
Cost: Free public event
The Russell Live Auction
August 21, 10 a.m.
The live auction kicks off at 10 a.m. with bidding starting at noon. A brunch will also be served amid the festive atmosphere.
Where: C.M. Russell Museum
Cost: $150 members / $225 non-members
Information: (406) 727-1939
cmrussell.org/the-russell
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