Underscored across the Bar Cross Ranch Collection is the theme of celebrating the awe-inspiring beauty of the American West. From Thomas Moran’s dynamic 
 
 <a class="Link" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/western-art-and-design-from-bar-cross-ranch-wyoming/green-river-wyoming">Green River, Wyoming</a>
 
 subject to Joseph Henry Sharp’s rendering of the amber mountains in 
 
 <a class="Link" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/western-art-and-design-from-bar-cross-ranch-wyoming/blackfeet-sun-dance">Blackfeet Sun Dance</a>
 
 , the dedication to highlighting the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape persists across this carefully curated collection.

Documenting the Majestic West

Grounding the Bar Cross Ranch sale are five incredible works on paper by Charles Marion Russell. Internationally recognized as the “original cowboy artist,” Russell is synonymous with American Western Art and renowned for his thoughtful visual record of the landscapes, wildlife, and Native American inhabitants of the American West. Trained as a ranch hand as well as an artist, Russell’s first hand experiences and intimate knowledge of the western frontier prevail in these skillfully rendered watercolors.

Charles Marion Russell: Exceptional Watercolors

Designing the American Midwest Exhibiting Molesworth’s characteristic burled wood, colorful leathers and dynamic Chimayo weavings, this exceptional group presents a variety of iconic forms from decorated painted hide table lamps to seating with vigorously burled legs to rare half-pole trim bed frames. With thoughtful curation and commitment to the Western vernacular of Thomas Molesworth, this superlative collection presents some of the most important designs with impeccable provenance.

Thomas Molesworth

Portraiture has long been a favored method for artists documenting their immediate surroundings, and that is no different for George Catlin, Elbridge Burbank, Charles Marion Russell, and the artists of the American West. Thoughtful portraits of Native American chiefs, women and children featured in the Bar Cross Ranch Collection include that of Chief Black Coyote of the Arapaho Reservation and Brave Chief of the Pawnee tribe among others.

Native American Portraiture

New York

Chairman of 20th Century Design and Chairman of Major Collections, Americas

Jodi Pollack

Global Head of African &amp; Oceanic

Alexander Grogan

Head of 20th Century Design and Senior International Specialist

Carina Villinger

Assistant Vice President, Head of Sale, 20th Century Design

Specialist

Paul Lewis

Katie Karmali

Pre-Sale Manager

Natalie Alford

Associate Project Manager

Camille Hamant

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +1 212 606 7000 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com" target="_blank">ENQUIRIES@SOTHEBYS.COM</a>

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Western Art and Design from Bar Cross Ranch, Wyoming highlights exceptional examples of American Western painting, drawing, photography, craftsmanship, and design. This cohesive collection tells the nuanced story of the American West through the lens of Thomas Molesworth, Thomas Moran, Edward Curtis, Charles Marion Russell, and many of the nation’s leading artists and craftsmen. Led by a ledger book of Etahdleuh Doanmoe’s drawings, the collection’s holdings in Native American Art simultaneously showcases the artistic traditions of the region’s indigenous peoples. This single owner mixed-category sale celebrates the diversity of medium and authorship that comprise the Western American Art landscape.