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The Russell is the premiere fundraising event for the C.M.
Russell Museum in Great Falls attracting artists, collectors,
and patrons from around the globe. The C.M. Russell
Museum collects, preserves, researches, interprets, and
educates on the art and life of Charles M. Russell as the Art
and Soul of the American West.
As Russell collectors know, the artist was talented in many
mediums and, in addition to the oil offering, the auction will
feature the Russell watercolor Indians Herding Horses Across
River 1894, the bronzes Nature's Cattle and Bronc Twister,
and the painting Rivals - one of 17 paintings and 68 pen and
ink drawings that Russell created to illustrate author Carrie
Adell Strahorn's account of her travels and adventures in
promoting public curiosity about the West for the Railroad.
The backstories to Russell's works are often as compelling
as the art. This is especially true with the auction standout
sculpture, Spirit of Winter. Executed in the spring of 1926, just
six months before Russell's death, it is a moving piece for
the timing and the Blackfeet tale it represents. The sculpture
is arguably one of the "most animated and evocative
sculptures that the artist every produced" according to
Russell Scholar Rick Stewart. This work was a favorite of
Nancy Russell that she included it memorial exhibitions
following Charlie's death. To date there is no evidence of
any casts having been produced.
The Russell Live Auction is held March 18, 2018 at 5 p.m.
in the Mansfield Center in Great Falls. Sponsors include D.A.
Davidson and BNSF Railway. Tickets typically sell out so call
406-727-1939 today or visit cmrussell.org to reserve your seat.
Charles M. Russell, Bronc Twister, bronze,
17 ½ inches, $250,000-$350,000
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