There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Prints, Multiples and Works on Paper hosted by the New Mexico-based Santa Fe Art Auction. Due to a “burgeoning demographic of new collectors and fresh interest in the role of the West on the American scene,” says Gillian Blitch, auction president and CEO—and 400-lots of impressive examples—the sale is expected to achieve spectacular results.
“Collectors can expect to find strong offerings of prints, drawings, paintings and collages by renowned artists from around the world, including New Mexico regionalists, printmakers and prominent Native American artists,” Blitch explains. “Look for a wide range of pieces by important, historic Western artists including Gene Kloss, Emil Bisttram, Rafael Coronel, Andrew Dasburg, Robert Kelly, Louis Ribak, Howard Cook, Barbara Latham, Jerry Ingram, Janet Lippincott and Gustave Baumann.”
George Gibbs (1815-1873), Mexican Encounter, watercolor, gouache on paper, 19¼ x 24¾ in. Estimate: $5/7,000
Blitch continues, “As works on paper are typically more accessible and allow collectors to glimpse more of an artist’s process, this is an exciting collecting opportunity for unique pieces by both historic and contemporary artists working with Western American themes.”
One such highlight is the watercolor and gouache on paper, Mexican Encounter,(est. $5/7,000) by George Gibbs (1815-1873), an artist, illustrator and author who was known for his early 20th-century depictions of American life. “This is a beautiful painting on toned paper and a quintessential example of the artist’s work,” notes Blitch.
Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), Near the Ranchos Church, graphite on paper, 10½ x 12 in. Estimate: $1,5/2,500
A “wonderful and intimate” sketch by Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), titled Near the Ranchos Church is another quality find in the sale, and is estimated between $1,500 and 2,500. The piece depicts Ranchos de Taos Church, located in Northern New Mexico.
“Born in Hungary, Bisttram initially immigrated to New York and settled in Taos in 1932,” says Blitch. “He developed a Taos gallery and the Taos School of Art, as well as the New Mexico Transcendental Artists Group and the Taos Art Association. Bisttram is known for his spiritual, modernist approach to painting and is a key figure in the Southwest Modernist movement.”
Also find Francisco Zúñiga’s (1912-1998) conte crayon on paper, Madre y Hija(est. $1,5/2,500), a piece that expects significant attention. “The Mexican artist is known for his expressive and nuanced figurative drawing and sculpture,” Blitch shares. “The mother and daughter were an important subject that the artist returned to throughout his career, and this drawing is a raw and beautifully rendered depiction of this theme.”
Francisco Zúñiga (1912-1998), Madre y Hija, conte crayon on paper, 21 x 26½ in. Estimate: $1,5/2,500
These are but a few examples of the many remarkable pieces that are set for the auction block on March 12 and 13, held at Santa Fe Art Auction’s in-person viewing room in the Railyard district. Blitch hopes that collectors take away fine additions to either an existing collection or a gem that will be the start of a lifelong interest in collecting. —
Prints, Multiples and Works on Paper
March 12-13, 2025
Santa Fe Art Auction
932 Railfan Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 954-5858 www.santafeartauction.com
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