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Western & Contemporary Native American Art
|
- Sale 1239
Live
| Denver
Nov 1 | 10:00 AM MDT
Live
| Denver
Sale 1239
| Denver
| Denver
Estimate$12,000 – $18,000
Exhibited:
Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma, "Gilcrease Rendezvous, 1984", May 5 - July 8, 1984
Frank McCarthy began his career working easel-to-easel with the great illustrators of the form’s Golden Age. They labored and brawled through the 1950’s and 60’s, living the bohemian life in “The Bullpen,” a hive of artists in Midtown Manhattan. They lived from assignment to assignment as Madison Avenue “Mad Men” dreamed up campaigns for everything from pulp novels to cigarettes, from brassieres to Buicks. McCarthy illustrated books and magazine stories and painted posters for Hollywood - James Bond films in particular. In 1974, McCarthy left the commercial art world and moved to Arizona, where he would paint distinctive action scenes that seemed to leap from the stories of the Old West.
In The Signal, McCarthy riffs on a theme he would return to time and again throughout his career: the moment before a battle commences, when war parties coordinate an attack by signaling with a blanket or robe. In this painting, McCarthy adds a note of drama, making the signal a full buffalo hide, resplendently waving while the rest of warriors wait just behind the brow of the hill, out of sight. In the foreground and in the distance, McCarthy’s trademark buttes, rocks, and dry grasses, in high key and detail, set the stage.
- James D. Balestrieri
Overall good and stable condition; UV light does not reveal any areas of inpainting, repair, damage or loss; slight yellowing to varnish, commensurate with age. Framed dimensions: 34 1/2 x 46 1/2 inches. Please request additional images.
Please contact the Western Art department at [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or free from wear, imperfections or evidence of aging. All lots are sold “AS IS”. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to the client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hindman Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
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
