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Williams Gollings Bucking Bronco Painting c. 1923

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Williams Gollings Bucking Bronco Painting c. 1923
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The lot features an exceedingly rare and authentic original work of art by Wyoming artist E. William Gollings. Elling William (Bill) Gollings (American, b.1878-1932) began painting in 1903 when he acquired some oil paints through the Montgomery Ward & Company catalog after being enthralled by the magazine illustrations by Frederic Remington. He was born in the rough and tumble mining camp of Pierce City, Idaho Territory in March of 1878. Like Frederic Remington, Gollings longed for a forgotten west, and went about authenticating himself to render it carefully and faithfully. William studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, Illinois before leaving on a train to Rapid City, South Dakota. From South Dakota Gollings set out on a borrowed horse to roam the open ranges and worked odd jobs for his money, food and shelter. He learned to brand cattle and drive a stage, as well as engaging in the almost obligatory early western activities such as fur trapping and panning for gold. He then finished his schooling after five hard years of work to prefect his artistic talents. Gollings preferred life in the west and traveled through Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Montana. In 1909, Gollings moved to Sheraton, Wyoming and built a small studio for himself. Gollings was honored during his life to meet and share artistic ideas with his heroes such as Edward Borein, W.H.D. Koerner, Charles M. Russell, Will James, Joe D. Young and J.H. Sharp. William Gollings has gone on to be considered one of Wyoming’s most treasured artist with his work continuing to be some of the most valuable and sought after in the Western art community. His works are displayed in American institutions such as the Gilcrease Museum in Oklahoma, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming and the National Museum of Wildlife Art. This piece has been examined by Bill King, one of the foremost experts on E.W. Gollings and curated at a Wyoming Museum, and was found to be an authentic and correct piece. This piece is signed in the lower right by the artist and dated circa 1923. The piece has a fantastic documented history that will be included with the lot. This was owned by Dr. Joan Tailyour from Kelowana British Columbia, Canada and was purchased from her estate. She was born on July 4, 1915 and was the great granddaughter to Robert Tailyour who married Jean Carnegie (a direct relative of the famed Andrew Carnegie who was considered one of the wealthiest American’s and a leading philanthropist). Some examples of authentic Gollings paintings that have sold at public auction include: the 24x18 Cheyenne Winter Camp by Gollings in 1922 that sold for over $430,000, Returning to Camp 1914 by Gollings 20x15 that sold for over $80,000 and the piece 1924 Tepees and Animals in Winter 10x14 by Gollings that sold for over $60,000 with this example being much larger in size and of a more attractive subject matter. Gollings' primary influences were Howard Russell Butler, William P. Henderson, Charles M. Russell, W.H.D. Koerner, Joseph Henry Sharp, and Frederic Remington. This original work of art canvas measures 21.75 inches by 28.25 inches. The frame measures 29.25 inches by 35 7/8 inches. Using the price per square inch of the Cheyenne Winter Camp 1922 Gollings Painting sold at the Scottsdale Art Auction in 2007 for $430,000 (shown with premiums) this painting being offered for sale would carry a value of $612,000 (and also would be valued at $144,000 using the per square inch prices of the $80,000 Gollings sold at the Jackson Hole Art Auction in 2012). This is possibly the largest Gollings offered for public sale. The painting is hand written, signed on the back of the canvas in __, “William Gollings Sheridan WY / Johny’s Fort Fry / Property of Coffeen School”. The piece also has a sterling silver tag or presentation medal that shows a boy doing the steeple chase that is embellished by floral or leaf motifs and the tag reads on the reverse in hand engraved in script, “O.K.P.L.A.A. / 1928 / H.B.M. Gicgoh / High Huhdlis (and sterling hallmarks of an Anchor, Star with E, and a Walking Lion)”. This tag was intentionally mounted to the back of the frame, presumably in an effort to save additional provenance.