Frontier Life

Sculpture and Western art claim the top slots at Bonhams’ American art sale in New York City

Western art, a widely collected sub-genre within American art, lassoed its way to the top of Bonhams’ $6.5 million American art sale on April 30 in New York City. Not only were seven of the top 10 lots Western works or by artists who spent a great deal of time in the West, but tied for the top lot was a work by Frank Tenney Johnson, whose works of cowboys and Native American are iconic within the genre.

Paul Manship (1885-1966), Diana, 1921. Bronze with brown and verdigris patina, 36 in., signed and dated. Estimate: $500/700,000 SOLD: $914,900

“The results of this recent auction proved to us that there is an enduring and strong appetite for iconic portrayals of the West by America’s most coveted artists, such as James Earle Fraser, Frank Tenney Johnson, Victor Higgins and Thomas Moran,” says Aaron Anderson, American specialist with Bonhams. “In many respects, so much of American art tells the story of the geography and history of our nation, and the opportunity to incorporate works by American artists who spent their careers depicting and celebrating the frontier is important to us.”

The Johnson painting, Mountain Meadows (est. $800/1,200,000), tied for the top lot with Paul Manship’s 1921 bronze Diana (est. $500/700,000), one his most famous works. Both pieces sold for $914,000. Manship also had the third-best lot: Indian and Pronghorn Antelope, which sold for $794,250, well over the $600,000 high estimate.

Frank Tenney Johnson (1874-1939), Mountain Meadows, 1929. Oil on canvas, 401⁄8 x 501⁄8 in., signed and dated. Estimate: $800/1,200,000 SOLD: $914,900

N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945), “Who’s afraid of his guns?” shouted McFarlane. “He daren’t shoot in a square fight!” (Colts 45), 1912. Oil on canvas, 34¼ x 25 in., signed. Estimate: $250/350,000 SOLD: $572,000

Other Western works included James Earle Fraser’s bronze The End of the Trail (est. $500/700,000) that sold for $749,000, Thomas Moran’s 1872 watercolor Hot Springs of Gardiners River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Territory (est. $300/500,000) that sold for $533,000, and N.C. Wyeth’s 1912 painting “Who’s afraid of his guns?” shouted McFarlane. “He daren’t shoot in a square fight!” (Colts 45). The Wyeth, with its long and colorful title, sold for $572,000, soaring past its high estimate of $350,000. Other artists represented in the sale who spent a great deal of time in the West include Victor Higgins, Marsden Hartley and John Marin.

James Earle Fraser (1876-1953), The End of the Trail, 1918. Bronze with brown patina, 33¼ in., signed and dated with foundry mark from Roman Bronze Works. Estimate: $500/700,000 SOLD: $749,800

The sale came at a difficult economic time, but Anderson notes that the art market is strong. “We’re very pleased with the results of our most recent marquee auction and the healthy level of competitive bidding from buyers this season. Despite economic uncertainty, which has created waves in the art market, American art continues to remain stable,” he says. “While much of the talk this season in the global art market has focused on tariffs and their potential impact on the movement of art and collectibles, many active collectors of American art we spoke to this season—especially those who derive a significant portion of their income from investments—have expressed a more immediate concern over the volatility in the financial markets and safeguarding purchasing power. Despite the concerns, we remain positive about the resilience and strength of the American Art market and are closely monitoring consumer sentiment across all areas of the global art market.” —

Top 10 LOTS
Bonhams American Art Sale, April 30, 2025 (including Buyer’s Premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Paul Manship Diana $500/700,000 $914,900
Frank Tenney Johnson Mountain Meadows $800/1,200,000 $914,900
Paul Manship Indian and Pronghorn Antelope $400/600,000 $794,250
James Earle Fraser End of the Trail $500/700,000 $749,800
N.C. Wyeth “Who’s afraid of his guns?…” $250/350,000 $572,000
Thomas Moran Hot Springs of Gardiners River… $300/500,000 $533,900
Victor Higgins Petunias $250/350,000 $318,000
Marsden Hartley Camellias in a Vase $120/180,000 $267,200
Arthur Dove Yours Truly $250/350,000 $254,500
George Durrie Gathering Wood for Winter $150/250,000 $152,900