In April, the Scottsdale Art Auction presented its annual April sale. By many metrics, it did very well with $16.5 million in sales boosted by a remarkable Will James painting that sold for $990,000, more than 13 times over its high estimate.
E. Martin Hennings (1886-1956), Fall Aspens. Oil, 20 x 24 in. Estimate: $50/75,000
That success feels like wind in the sails for the auction house’s annual online sale on August 22. The sale will not only have more material by James, the famous Western author and artist, but it will also have more material from the famous collection it came from, the A.P. Hays Collection.
“We were thrilled to bring the first installment of the Will James material to auction in April and even more thrilled with the results,” says Brad Richardson, co-owner and founder of the Scottsdale Art Auction. “The second installment of the Hays Collection of James material will be included in this August auction.”
Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953), Peonies and Irises. Oil, 24 x 29 in. Estimate: $18/24,000
In addition to work by James, the online sale will feature a variety of other material from Western greats, including a remarkable landscape from E. Martin Hennings, a member of the Taos Society of Artists who began painting his best material after arriving in Northern New Mexico in the early 20th century. The painting, Fall Aspens, is estimated at $50,000 to $75,000. Another work being offered comes from Hennings’ confidant in the Taos Society of Artists, Joseph Henry Sharp, whose floral Peonies and Irises will be offered with estimates of $18,000 to $24,000.
Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994), Intimate Conversation. Bronze, 11½ in. Estimate: $7/10,000
More traditional Western work will be represented by Olaf Wieghorst’s His String (est. $25/35,000). Wieghorst led a colorful and adventurous life: he was a circus performer, cabin boy on a steamer, member of the U.S. Cavalry, mounted police officer in New York City, trick roper and friend of actor John Wayne.
Other work in the sale includes Clark Hulings’ Miguel de Allende (est. $15/25,000), a street scene from Mexico, and Allan Houser’s modernist bronze Intimate Conversation (est. $7/10,000). Houser was informed by the culture and traditions of his Chiricahua Apache heritage, but he also drew heavily from form and design that were largely unseen in Native American art. Early in his career he was urged to do more classic Native American imagery, but he pushed back and went his own way to become one of the most important sculptors of the American Southwest.
Olaf Wieghorst (1899-1988), His String. Oil, 28 x 38 in. Estimate: $25/35,000
The August sale will take place entirely online, although a preview will be available at the auction house’s headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Visit the website to register for the sale and for more information. —
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