The Russell’s slate of auctions yields an impressive $9.16 million in sales.
Collectors turned out in droves to the annual Russell weekend of events hosted by the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, as part of the city’s Western Art Week. Taking place March 20 to 22, the series of auctions and events—including the main Live Auction, the First Strike, and the quick-finish auction—had sold-out attendance leading to a robust $9.16 million in combined sales, prior to buyer’s premium.
Art by the museum’s namesake, Charles M. Russell, continued to show its dominance at the event with the highest hammer price of the weekend achieved for his watercolor WOMEN OF AMERICA. The seminal work sold for $1.84 million with buyer’s premium, a number that was within its presale estimate. Other works by Russell that caught the attention of buyers were WATCHING THE IRON HORSE (est. $650,000-$850,000), which achieved $702,000, and MANDAN BUFFALLO HUNT (est. $450,000-$650,000), from the Rosenthal Collection, which sold for $877,500.
The Rosenthal Collection was represented in the auction with several other well-performing lots including two by Joseph Henry Sharp. The artist’s gorgeous nocturne MOONLIGHT SONGS sold for $731,250 against an estimate of $200,000 to $400,000, and his CROW ENCAMPMENT, SPRING MORNING NEW CUSTER MOUNTAIN (est. $250,000-$400,000) brought $526,500.
Chris Warden, executive director of the C.M. Russell Museum, says in a press release, “The Russell sale continues to demonstrate the enduring appreciation for Charlie Russell’s work as well as the art of the West by his contemporaries and today’s living artists. As our largest fundraising event, the auction ensures our continued mission to preserve and share Russell’s legacy with future generations.”
Contemporary artists are a mainstay of The Russell weekend of events, and their performance at auction solidified the interest in present-day offerings alongside the historic works. Jeremy Winborg’s DAHTESTE—AS SKILLFUL AS THE MEN, a stylized painting that is full of the artist’s vibrant brushstrokes and colors, was estimated at $32,000 to $37,000. It more than doubled the high estimate when it sold for $89,600. Jason Rich’s DRAMA ON THE MADISON (est. $25,000-$35,000) also went above estimate at $61,600, while Gary Lynn Roberts’ LAND OF THE FREE (est. $40,000-$50,000) sold for $56,000.
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