DALLAS, TX.- Frank Reaughs lost masterpiece Sheepherders Camp, 1893, set a $437,000 record for the artist May 16 when it took top lot honors in
Heritage Auctions $926,000 selection of Texas Art. The very large pastel painting spans 40-inches, a rarity from an artist known for impressionistic depictions of West Texas.
Its been called the most important Reaugh painting to emerge in the last few years and I knew the collecting world would be excited to learn that it existed, said Atlee Philips, Director of Texas Art at Heritage Auctions. Far more important than that is its contribution to our greater understanding of Texas art.
Philips said five bidders competed for the work, which doubled its pre-auction estimate and more than doubled the previous record of $178,000 the selling to a Dallas bidder on the phone.
The action spanned landscape paintings and sculpture from the late 19th century to Modern and Contemporary work. Julian Onderdonks Bluebonnets North of San Antonio, Late Afternoon, circa 1919-21, sold for $93,750; and his Golden Sunset, Southwest Texas sold for $42,500.
A favorite subject for many Texas artists, Hill Country in Spring, 1958, by Porfirio Salinas brought $30,000 and Robert William Woods Hill Country, 1943, ended at $25,000.
Madonna and Child, 1963, by Charles Umlauf, a momentous bronze from the estate of Ruther Carter Stevenson and sold to benefit Fort Worths Amon Carter Museum, sold for $25,000, against a $5,000 estimate.
Additional highlights include, but are not limited by:
Hunting Season (Fall in Central Texas), 1957, by Porfirio Salinas: Realized: $17,500.
Winter in I.A.B. Field, West, Texas, 1959, by Edward Muegge Buck Schiwetz: Realized: $16,250.
During the Depression by Hari (Harry) Matthew Kidd: Realized: $10,000.