From the collection of the Mamaroneck Public Library in New York, Heritage Auctions hosts In the Wild,a sale of paintings by renowned artist Philip R. Goodwin (1881-1935). The collection, originally donated to the library in 1938 by the artist’s brother, T. Raymond Goodwin, includes 66 lots that feature not only the impeccable wildlife and sporting paintings the artist was known for, but also personal memorabilia.
Philip R. Goodwin (1881-1935), A Contemplative Rest, oil on canvas laid on board, 5½ x 9”. Signed and inscribed lower right: Phillips R. Goodwin/Alberra. Property from the Collection of the Mamaroneck Public Library, New York. Estimate: $4/6,000
Alissa Ford, Heritage vice president of American and Western art, elaborates, “His work is rare to come to the market and this is an opportunity to acquire not only his wildlife pieces, which are significant in their own right, but the array of landscapes that tell a story of Goodwin’s journey to becoming one of the most prolific artists of the 20th century. Bidders will also have an opportunity to acquire Goodwin’s paintbrush and paint box, along with old photographs that inspired his paintings, his original sketchbook and postcards from his travels.”
Highlights from the sale include A Contemplative Rest (est. $4/6,000), showing a cowboy resting in a field alongside his horse. “Goodwin…also made a significant impact with his portrayal of cowboy life in the early 20th century,” explains Ford. “One of the hallmarks of [his] cowboy paintings is the sense of movement and action they often contain. Whether depicting a cowboy in a moment of quiet contemplation or in the midst of a dramatic cattle drive, Goodwin managed to capture both the tranquility and the peril inherent in cowboy life.”
Philip R. Goodwin (1881-1935), Roaming Grizzly, oil on canvas laid on board, 7½ x 9½”. Property from the Collection of the Mamaroneck Public Library, New York. Estimate: $1,500/2,500
This change to depicting the Western lifestyle was greatly affected by Goodwin’s friendship with Charles and Nancy Russell, along with a trip to Colorado in 1905. “Goodwin sketched, hunted, fished, packed and canoed in remote parts of the American West and Canada until 1914, providing him with material he used throughout his career,” says Ford. “Cowboys, American Indians and frontiersmen shared the stage with hunters, wildlife and outdoorsmen in his paintings until about 1915, when his [work] shifted almost exclusively to scenes in the North Woods.”
For the live sale at the Heritage Auction house in Dallas, Texas, on March 20, collectors will also find significant pieces like Roaming Grizzly with an estimate of $1,500 to $2,500; A Quiet Outing estimated at $6,000 to $8,000; and a grouping of five small landscapes titled End of Summer, Pink Reflections, Firey Sky, Evening’s Glow and Tranquil Waters (est. 1,500/2,500). —
In the Wild: The Work of Philip Goodwin from the Collection of the Mamaroneck Public Library Showcase Auction
March 20, 2024
2801 W. Airport Freeway, Dallas, TX 75261, (214) 528-3500, www.ha.com
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