On March 12, John Moran Auctioneers will host its Art of the American West sale, which covers many styles and eras, from historic to contemporary, across roughly 250 lots. Connecting them all is the enduring essence, magnificence and intrigue of the Wild West.
Highlights of the sale include works by renowned historic artists such as Joe De Young (1894-1975), traditional sculptors Ken Payne (1938-2012) and James Regimbal, and cutting edge contemporary Western painters including Logan Maxwell Hagege. Other artists represented include Dan Namingha, Tony Abeyta, Edward Borein and Bob Boomer.
Logan Maxwell Hagege, High Desert Trail, 2010, oil on linen laid to Gatorboard, 12 x 9” Estimate: $15/20,000
Born in Lincoln County, New Mexico, Payne started out as a painter of landscapes, cowboys and Indigenous peoples of the Southwest. A pilot with a life-long interest in history, especially that of the West, he shifted his focus to bronze sculpture in the 1970s, creating prolific pieces depicting frontier scenes in the decades that followed.
His 1994 bronze, Other Side of the Blue Mountain depicts, a frontiersman making his way down a mountain with his team of horses, burdened by the means for survival. The rider on the rear horse clutches a rifle while keeping a watchful eye on the team ahead as they make their way down the steep embankment. The piece has an estimated value of $3,000 to $5,000.
With a track record of exceeding the high estimates of his work, Hagege’s 2010 piece High Desert Trail will likely surpass or at least reach its $20,000 high estimate. The piece, a minimalistic treatment of a Native American in profile with a blanket held close around his shoulders, is typical of the California artist’s highly popular, stripped-down and impactful style.
James Regimbal, Highway to Home, 1998, patinated and cold-painted bronze on a wood base, ed. 18 of 75 Estimate: $4/6,000
Another highlight of the sale is a bronze by Western and wildlife sculptor James Regimbal. Regimbal’s 1998 piece Highway to Home shows two men and their pack horses headed home after successful hunt. With graceful lines alive with movement, one can almost hear the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses hooves and feel the pack’s uplifted spirits after the outcome of the hunt. “Only the best of my work is good enough to be cast in bronze,” Regimbal has said. “Knowing that in years to come these sculptures will still be in existence and appreciated, passing on a true story of our heritage. The demand we put on creating excellence today is to show our selves and future generations. The work that has been completed in this life long collection is a culmination of decades of genuine American creativity, craftsmanship, labor and talent. Like in the past…time wasn’t of the essence, but quality, accuracy and demand for excellence was always present in those days.”
Ken Payne (1938-2012), Other Side of the Blue Mountains, 1994, patinated bronze on a rotating wood base, ed. 13 of 45 Estimate: $3/5,000
“The Art of the American West sale is one of Moran’s bedrock auctions held bi-annually,” says auction house president Jeffrey Moran. “The spectrum of lots offered spans not only Western and Indian fine art, but also related objects normally found in collections including Native American basketry, blankets and rugs, earthenware pottery and silver jewelry.” —
Art of the American West
March 12, 2024
John Moran Auctioneers, 145 E. Walnut Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 793-1833
www.johnmoran.com
Powered by Froala Editor
