Artists have been inspired by vistas and characters of the American West long after the frontier was settled. Last Chance by LiveAuctioneers has rounded up a selection of paintings and prints depicting the wild and woolly West by noted 20th century American artists, which will be sold at an Internet auction Saturday, June 18.
Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.com.
The following five works are a sampling of the 141 lots going up for bids:
Painting for a cowboy pulp cover
This striking cowboy pulp cover is attributed to Illinois-born artist Lewis Ramsey (1875-1941). Ramsey began his study at the Art Institute of Chicago. He then trained in Boston and New York and also studied at the Académie Julian in Paris. The oil on canvas measures 24 by 25 inches without its frame. This dynamic depiction of a cowboy on horseback, has a $4,400-$6,050 estimate.
Double-sided watercolor by Charles Payzant
Generally acknowledged as one of America’s most gifted watercolorists, Canadian-born Charles Payzant (1898-1980) chose to sign this image of the lone cowboy rather than the more colorful market scene on the reverse. The framing permits the owner to switch the side being exhibited. Walt Disney Studios hired Payzant in 1934 to paint watercolor backgrounds. He produced art for many cartoon shorts and did elaborate backgrounds for the features Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi and The Three Caballeros. He also illustrated many children’s books.
Texas Centennial poster
Signed “Florian,” this 1936 Texas Centennial poster celebrates the Lone Star State’s independence from Mexico in 1836. Talented artists were assigned the task of creating this series for display at travel agencies. Though copies abound, originals like this one are rare. Mounted on art board, the poster measures 21 by 28 inches and has a $2,000-$2,750 estimate.
‘Covered Wagon Leave-taking’
Californian Reynold Brown (1917-1991), one of America’s most influential illustrators, painted this animated scene of a family in a covered wagon getting under way to join a wagon train and leaving home. Brown was a prolific American realist artist who did many numerous advertisements and illustrations for magazines such as Argosy, Popular Science, Saturday Evening Post, Boy’s Life, Outdoor Life and Popular Aviation, and later drew many Hollywood film posters. This poignant painting has a $6,000-$8,250 estimate.
‘Taos Woman’ by Gay Betts
Born and raised in New York City, Grace May Betts (1883-1978) was taught to paint by her artist parents who called her Gay. Later she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she often exhibited. Betts became a peripatetic painter of Western and Southwest landscapes and Indians. This portrait of a Native American woman by Betts is pictured in a four-volume set titled California Women Painters. This canvas is estimated at $520-$715.