The stock markets were up and down. Tariffs were in effect, and then weren’t. Even oil was volatile. In early April, all signs were pointing to a tough period for fine art and the people who collect it. But then the Scottsdale Art Auctionopened bidding on its live spring sale. Results revealed a hit: $15 million in sales, numerous new auction records and a 97 percent sell-through rate.
Thomas Moran (1837-1926), On the Hance Trail – Grand Canyon, oil, 14½ x 20 in. Estimate: $750/1,000,000 SOLD: $725,400
“Despite the economic issues happening that week, we are thrilled at the number of people actively bidding throughout the duration of the sale,” says auction partner Brad Richardson. “The auction had stronger attendance than we have had in a few years and the enthusiastic bidding speaks to the quality of work we offered across the board. You can never count out the energy of Western collectors.”
The sale opened with a first session on April 11 that included key works from G. Harvey, Martin Grelle, Mark Maggiori, Ed Mell and others. Consistent sales and high bids set the stage for the April 12 session, which included 62 lots of the A.P. Hays Maynard Dixon Collection followed by the heavy hitters of the second session. The Dixon portion realized more than $1.5 million with every lot selling, including 69 percent of them above the high estimate. Highlights from that segment include Desert Rocks No. 2 / Camelback Mountain (est. $60/90,000) that sold for $152,000 and Mesa Toward Sunset (est. $40/60,000) that sold for $99,000. Campo Santo,a small study, sold for $76,000, more than five times over the high estimate of $15,000.
Ed Mell (1942-2024), Western Bronc, oil, 24 x 18 in. Estimate: $28/38,000 SOLD: $122,850
Deeper in the second session was the top lot, a major Thomas Moran painting, On the Hance Trail-Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, Arizona, that sold for $725,000, just missing estimates of $750,000 to $1 million. Not far behind it was Eanger Irving Couse’s Offering to the Great Spirit (est. $400/600,000) that sold for $409,000, and G. Harvey’s patriotic The American Dream (est. $250/350,000) that sold for $374,000. One of the stars of the second session was Joseph Henry Sharp’s Wind River Country – Wyo, which sold for $362,000, clearing its high estimate of $250,000 with lots of room to spare. Other key historic sales came from Oscar E. Berninghaus, Gerard Curtis Delano, Charles M. Russell, Frank Tenney Johnson and Fritz Scholder.
Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953), Wind River Country – Wyo, oil, 20 x 27 in. Estimate: $150/250,000 SOLD: $362,700
Living artists did especially well, including major pieces from Howard Terpning, a bronze monument from John Coleman, and recent works from Maggiori, Logan Maxwell Hagege, Kyle Polzin, Jerry Jordan, Curt Walters and Don Oelze, whose painting Last Stand at San Miguel (our April cover image) sold for $46,000, nearly double the high estimate.
Several new world records were set, including for Charles Nahl, Earl Biss, Scott Rogers, Phil Epp, David Mann, Colt Idol, Brandon Bailey and Mell, whose painting Western Bronc (est. $28/38,000) sold for $122,000. —
Top 10 Lots Scottsdale Art Auction
April 11-12, 2025 (including buyer’s premiums)
Artist Title Low/High Est. SOLD
Thomas Moran On the Hance Trail… $75/1,000,000 $725,400
Eanger Irving Couse Offering to the Great Spirit $400/600,000 $409,500
G. Harvey The American Dream $250/350,000 $374,400
Joseph Henry Sharp Wind River Country – Wyo $150/250,000 $362,700
Charles M. Russell Navajo Wild Horse Hunters $300/500,000 $315,900
Howard Terpning Making a Stand $250/350,000 $269,100
Oscar E. Berninghaus The Edge of the Foothills $175/275,000 $257,400
Gerard Curtis Delano The Fur Traders $250/350,000 $257,400
Frank Tenney Johnson A Lone Rider $225/300,000 $245,700
Fritz Scholder Indians and Persian Rug $100/150,000 $222,300
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