Western & Contemporary Native American Art

Sale 1092

Live

| Denver

Nov 1 | 10:00 AM MDT

Live

| Denver

Lot 115

Olaf Weighorst

(Danish/American, 1899-1988)

The Ranch Cook

oil on canvas

signed O-Wieghorst (lower left)

20 x 24 inches

The Ranch Cook is an extraordinary, and, in some ways, a singular painting by Olaf Wieghorst. If you imagine a painting as a stage picture, Wieghorst generally places us, the viewers, in the position of a theatrical audience, with an invisible barrier between us and the stage. Here, however, the artist breaks what is known as this “fourth wall,” and paints the mounted cowboy and cook looking out of the picture plane, directly at us. At this height and from this distance, we would seem to be riding in, out of the twilight, the gloaming. The two men have not yet identified us. They’re wondering who’s out there—friend or foe?—when all we want is a cup of that cowboy coffee and a plate of whatever’s in that kettle over the fire. The overall feel, with the falling dusk and the light on the men’s faces, folds of clothing, as well as on the horse and wagon, is reminiscent of early American paintings by artists such as George Caleb Bingham.

From his earliest days in Denmark, Olaf Wieghorst, the American West, the horse, and art seemed bound to a single destiny. When his father saw some theatrical potential in the boy, he sent Olaf, who was a strong, strapping lad, to train to be an acrobat. In 1918, this led to work with an American film crew on a Western filmed in Denmark. When the shoot was finished, Olaf shipped out with the crew as they sailed back to the States. In New York, Olaf jumped ship, then enlisted in the U.S. Cavalry—just as they were about to leave for the southern border to pursue Pancho Villa, who had made an unwelcome incursion into New Mexico. Wieghorst spent four years in the southwest, exploring, on horseback, the landscape that would shape his aesthetic. He then worked as a cowboy and ranch hand and eventually found himself back in New York City, serving as a mounted police officer.

In the late 1930’s, Wieghorst met sculptor Joe Paulio, who was making a model of a horse in the police stables. Wieghorst helped Paulio secure a commission and this, in turn, inspired Wieghorst—who had always loved to draw—to begin to paint, sculpt, and make prints. Another artist saw Wieghorst’s work and encouraged him to submit it to the calendar companies.

A taste of success sent Wieghorst and his family west in 1944, and they settled in El Cajon, California. In art as in life, Wieghorst “stayed” on horses. As he observed, “I couldn’t have learned what I did from some teacher in art school, I learned about horses by sleeping, freezing, thirsting and starving with them. I learned by doing; I paint what I know.”

- James D. Balestrieri

Painting has been relined. No detectable losses. UV light reveals yellowing varnish in some areas, does not reveal any inpainting. Faint craquelure throughout. Stable condition. Framed dimensions: 28 1/4 x 32 1/4 inches. Please request additional images.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email westernart@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email westernart@hindmanauctions.com

Katherine Hlavin

Consultant, Fine Art

katherinehlavin@hindmanauctions.com 303.825.1855

Ms. Hlavin joined the firm in June 2017 as Director of Business Development, Western Region, at the Denver location and became a department specialist in 2020. Under her leadership, the Western Art sales in Denver established several sale records. Before joining the firm, she spent seven years working with galleries in Jackson Hole, Scottsdale and Denver. Most recently, she was Gallery Director of Visions West Contemporary in Denver and Jackson Hole. Prior to that, Ms. Hlavin was Director of American & Western Paintings at Altamira Fine Art.

Alexandria Dreas

Specialist, Head of Sale, Western and Contemporary Native American Art

alexandriadreas@freemansauction.com 303.825.1855

Alex has been working in the Fine Art industry for more than 12 years, including time spent at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, and the Denver Art Museum. She has been with Freeman's since 2019 and has headed the Western and Contemporary Native American Fine art Sales since 2021.

Please email westernart@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Western & Contemporary Native American Art

The Ranch Cook

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