Thomas Worthington Whittredge

Acquired by descent from the grandparents of the present owners

Canvas is not lined. SURFACE: in good condition UNDER ULTRA VIOLET: minor touch-ups: a couple of small spots of retouch at upper right (in sky) and 2-3 dashes of inpainting in center (sky--for craq fill-in?); otherwise, very clean
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

After the end of the Civil War in 1866, Whittredge accompanied Major John Pope on an expedition across the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains.  While other Hudson River School artists were most impressed by the magnificence of the Rockies, Whittredge drew his inspiration from the Great Plains and painted several of his finest works based on the sketches he made during the trip, as evidenced in the present work.  In his words, "I had never seen the plains or anything like them.  They impressed me deeply.  I cared more for them than for the mountains, and very few of my Western pictures have been produced from sketches made in the mountains, but rather from those made on the plains with mountains in the distance." (Anthony F. Janson, Worthington Whittredge, Cambridge, 1989, pp. 112-113)