Back
Western & Contemporary Native American Art
|
- Sale 1137
Live
| Denver
May 4 | 10:00 AM MDT
Live
| Denver
Sale 1137
| Denver
| Denver
Estimate$8,000 – $12,000
Provenance:
The Baker Company, Lubbock, Texas, March, 1971
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Perhaps the foremost painter of the skies of the American West, Wilson Hurley painted Fog Strangler in 1971, two years after winning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in the Air Force in Vietnam, and a year after his marriage to his lifelong partner in art, Roz. It was while he was flying that Hurley fell in love with sky, clouds, light and shadow, and he made their interpretation on canvas into his signature theme. The “fog strangler” in Fog Strangler is the sun, breaking through the towering, billowing clouds that resemble fists withdrawing from a losing battle. Hurley loved, adhered to, and frequently bent the Renaissance rules of perspective and the impressionist discoveries regarding color. In Fog Strangler, the shadowed rocks in the foreground draw the eye to the brightest, distant light. The eye then moves to the light at upper left and down to the lighter patch below that. The effect makes the viewer feel the movement of the rainy front across the painting.
-James D. Balestrieri
Overall good and stable condition. Three pinhead points of surface soiling - possible splatter - visible in lower left quadrant. Framed dimensions: 37 x 39 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 [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Alexandria Dreas
Specialist, Head of Sale, Western and Contemporary Native American Art
