One of the biggest names in historic art—Georgia O’Keeffe—has strong ties to the West, having made New Mexico her home while she painted its beautiful vistas. The museum in her name is even found in Santa Fe, New Mexico. However, many women artists of the past never reached the same success as their male counterparts and have long been overlooked in art history. On March 25, Heritage Auctions hopes to change that narrative by hosing its Women of the West Showcase Auction. The sale, featuring contemporary and historic paintings, landscape etchings, mixed media works and more, will bring to light the artistic achievements of some of these artists.
Robin Laws, Swat Team, bronze with unique gray patina, 58” high. Estimate: $20/30,000
“Today we are pleased to see more women artists making their place in the art world, and it is certainly an area of collecting that will continue to blossom over the next few decades,” says Alissa Ford, director of California and Western art at Heritage Auctions, in a press release. “So we are thrilled to present a boutique auction dedicated to the women of the American West. Representing both historic and contemporary artists, we are pleased to provide these talented artists with the recognition they deserve and include them in the discussion of important Western art.”
Veryl Goodnight, Passing Times, 2000, bronze with green and reddish-bronze patinas, 15½” high on a 2” wood and green marble base. Estimate: $5/7,000
Sherry Sander, Cat and Paw, 2004, bronze with unique reddish-gold patina, 9½” high on a 2½” granite and wood base. Estimate: $1,5/2,500
Historic artwork includes gems from Marjorie Reed and nine etchings by Gene Kloss. The pieces from Kloss are sure to attract bidders, as the artist is best known for her New Mexico prints and these are examples she made between the 1950s and 1970s. Among them are four estimated at $700 to $1,000—Chance Encounter, Keresan Dancers, Rocky Mountain Valley and Feather Dancer – Domingo—and five other pieces that highlight the life and vastness of the Southwest.
There are many bronzes in the auction that will be of interest to buyers. Wyoming-based sculptor Robin Laws’ Swat Team, 2002, is among the highlights of the sale. The work, measuring 58 inches high, depicts three burros from the artist’s ranchland home. It is estimated to achieve between $20,000 and $30,000. Three smaller works of a single burro by Laws are also available in the sale.
Doris Steider, Quiet Time, egg tempera on Masonite, 5½ x 13”. Estimate: $5/700
Veryl Goodnight is recognized for her equine-themed sculptures, and in this sale is a work of the subject titled Passing Times. The piece, estimated at $5,000 to $7,000, depicts “an older woman riding sidesaddle alongside a younger woman astride her horse” making the “statement on the changing times in the West.” Other bronzes in the sale include two tabletop-size pieces: Sherry Sander’s 2004 work Cat and Paw (est. $1,5/2,500) and Sandy Scott’s horse Eclipse (est. $2/3,000). —
Women of the West Showcase Auction
March 25, 2022
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway, Dallas, TX 75261
(214) 528-3500, www.ha.com
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