Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Art Auction Exhibition Gallery, April 6-8
G. Harvey, Trolley Café, oil, 24 x 36. Estimate: $80,000-$120,000.
This story was featured in the April 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art April 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
The Scottsdale Art Auction hosts a landmark event this month, presenting two full auctions back to back. In addition to its renowned annual fine-art auction, this year it brings 114 lots to the block from acclaimed sculptor Glenna Goodacre’s private collection. Auction partner Jack A. Morris Jr., chairman of Morris & Whiteside Auctions, joins Legacy Gallery’s Brad Richardson and J.N. Bartfield Gallery’s Michael Frost in presenting both sales. Morris says that after deciding to retire, Goodacre donated her personal studio equipment and art library to the New Mexico School for the Arts. She then destroyed all of her molds to give collectors assurance against any spurious castings. Finally, Morris says, she entrusted her own collection of bronzes (some of which are unique castings and artist’s proofs), drawings, paintings, and preliminary documents to the Scottsdale Art Auction, which presents a sale of the items at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6.
“I don’t know of anything that’s been done like this in the past,” Morris says. “Particularly with a sculptor as important as Glenna Goodacre is in American art history.” The event has presented its share of logistical challenges, including moving sculptures ranging in size from her U.S. dollar coin to her own casting of the Ronald Reagan monument, which was originally intended for installation at Reagan National Airport. Prices in the auction range from masks estimated to sell for $1,000 to monuments for half a million dollars.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Crossing the Prairie, bronze, h72. Estimate: $50,000-$70,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, End of the Dance, bronze, h30. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Puddle Jumpers, bronze, 6 x 13 feet, Estimate: $300,000-$500,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Spotted Tail AP w/Grant Medal, bronze, h41. Estimate: $12,000-$16,000.
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- Martin Grelle, New Wealth for the Blackfeet, oil, 44 x 52. Estimate: $150,000-$250,000.
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- William R. Leigh, Hell Hound, oil, 28 x 22. Estimate: $350,000-$550,000.
On Friday morning, all of the Goodacre pieces are moved to an offsite location, and the auction crew sets up the exhibition gallery for the preview party for the 12th annual fine-art auction that evening. On Saturday, April 8, the first session of the Scottsdale Art Auction begins at 9:30 a.m. After a lunch break, the second session commences at 1 p.m. “We have a fine selection of Taos Masters paintings, and a fine collection of CA artists,” Morris says.
Among the 360 lots is William R. Leigh’s depiction of a panicked cowboy in the midst of a furious unseating in HELL HOUND, and a “vintage” Kenneth Riley entitled HIDASTA TRIBESMEN. “There’s a good cross section of wildlife and sporting art, including a fine Philip R. Goodwin, DANGEROUS SPORT,” Morris adds. This 40-by-28-inch oil depicting a bear charging a hunter and his dog is estimated to sell for $120,000-$180,000.
One of the most unusual lots is a collection of Carl Rungius etchings. “Rungius did 45 etchings,” Morris explains. “Collectors can spend a lifetime trying to collect them all. A couple are nearly impossible to find. But there is, in this sale, a group of 43.” Sold as a single lot, the grouping is anticipated to fetch between $150,000 and $250,000.
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- Philip R. Goodwin, Dangerous Sport, oil, 40 x 28. Estimate: $120,000-$180,000.
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- Joseph Sharp, Taos Ceremonial Drummer, oil, 20 x 16. Estimate: $75,000-$100,000.
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- Clark Hulings, Lower Colonias, oil, 30 x 60. Estimate: $100,000-$150,000.
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- E.I. Couse, Kachina Maker, oil, 24 x 29. Estimate: $200,000-$300,000.
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- Kenneth Riley, Hidasta Tribesmen, oil, 40 x 32. Estimate: $100,000-$125,000.
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- Howard Terpning, Slim Chance, oil, 24 x 40. Estimate: $375,000-$575,000.
The sculpture offerings in the auction are more limited this year because of the Goodacre auction. Even so, collectors will have no fewer than three Remingtons to bid on, as well as more contemporary works from Clark Bronson, Tim Shinabarger, and John Coleman. Morris also notes a charcoal drawing by Coleman entitled BUFFALO MEDICINE. “It’s the first drawing of his we’ve ever had,” he says.
Overall, the auction includes everything from George Catlin to Howard Terpning and price ranges from $1,000 to $500,000. Previews for both auctions open on March 25. —Laura Rintala
contact information
480.945.0225
www.scottsdaleartauction.com
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- Bob Kuhn, Hide and Seek, acrylic, 16 x 24. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Basket Dancer Head Study, bronze, h18. Estimate: $12,000-$16,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Girl With Ribbons, bronze, h73. Estimate: $35,000-55,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Le Chapeau Nouveau, bronze, h73. Estimate: $30,000-$40,000.
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- Glenna Goodacre, Sacagawea and Jean Baptiste, bronze, h83. Estimate: $100,000-$120,000.
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- Z.S. Liang, Victory Dance, Little Bighorn 1876, oil, 40 x 60. No estimate at time of publication.
This story was featured in the April 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art April 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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