Since holding its first ever sale of early California paintings in 1980, Bonhams has “continued to cultivate and lead the market,” says Scot Levitt, Bonhams director of fine arts. The esteemed auction house has maintained selling records for William Wendt, Joseph Kleitsch, Granville Redmond and many others, and today offers three annual sales in the category. Bonhams’ forthcoming California & Western Art sale, expects to uphold successful trends with approximately 125 significant lots.
N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945), Custer’s Last Stand, 1930, oil on canvas, 383/8 x 50½ in. Estimate: $120/180,000
“From poppy-dusted fields and vistas of the Pacific to towering views of the Rocky Mountains, our California & Western Art sale brings together 150 years of art historical movements that fall within the greater framework of American art,” says Levitt. “Our California section covers historical 19th-century scenes of the Golden State, examples from the Society of Six and plein air paintings. Our Western category often features works from the Taos Society of Artists alongside contemporary examples from the Cowboy Artists of America, and both wildlife and sporting subjects.”
Ed Mell (1942-2024), Procession, bronze, 9¾ in. Estimate: $4/6,000
As the only international auction house with a sale room in Los Angeles, Levitt notes that the California & Western Art sales “provide a forum for collectors to preview art and engage with specialists in person on the West-Coast.”
Major highlights in the December sale include an N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945) oil painting, Custer’s Last Stand, 1930, with estimates of $120,000 and $180,000. This powerful piece, depicting a scene from the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn, comes from the estate of Linda L. Bean. Another significant piece in the sale is the George Catlin (1794-1872) oil on canvas, Ostrich Chase (Buenos Aires), estimated at $15,000 and $25,000. Levitt shares, “Another version of this same subject by Catlin is in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.”
Sydney Laurence (1865-1940), Northern Lights, oil on canvas, 15 x 20 in. Estimate: $15/25,000
Also of note is the awe-inspiring Sydney Laurence (1865-1940) oil, Northern Lights, set to sell between $15,000 and $25,000. It depicts a typical subject matter for the artist, who is also known for his dramatic landscape paintings of Alaska and Mt. McKinley. An Ed Mell (1942-2024) bronze sculpture Procession, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000, will be offerd to bidders. “This piece is inspired by the time [the artist] lived on the Hopi reservation, and depicts a ceremonial dance to bring summer rains,” Levitt adds.
When collecting for the California and Western genre, Levitt advises that it’s particularly important to research a work of art before buying, as the more informed a collector is, the more confident they can be in their purchase. “To become a knowledgeable collector, one must do the work,” says Levitt. “This means both reading to understand the historical context for an artist or work, but also looking at an artwork to recognize and understand the artist’s signature style. We encourage collectors to attend previews and ask questions. We are here to help!”
George Catlin (1794-1872), Ostrich Chase (Buenos Aires), oil on canvas, 19¼ x 26¾ in. Estimate: $50/70,000
The sale opens December 19 at 1 p.m. and is hosted live at Bonhams’ Los Angeles location. Levitt notes that Bonhams often hosts online-sales concurrently, “which feature fine examples of the Golden State’s mountains, coastlines and deserts alongside depictions of the American West, all at exceptional values,” he says. “Our next online sale will run from Thanksgiving through December 6. —
California & Western Art
Bonhams
7601 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 850-7500, www.bonhams.com
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