Description: Ray Swanson ***One of the Acclaimed Artist’s RARE First Works Circa 1962-1965 when his western paintings were mostly a blend of Expressionism blended with post-modern Western Impressionism featuring rustic cowboys at work or leisure. The painter’s wife, Beverley Swanson, verified in 2006 that the similarly sized, painted and themed “Cowboy Card Players”, 1962, was Ray’s first western painting (sold on eBay). His earliest works rarely come up for sale, hoarded away by his biggest fans. Swanson’s highly collected art has been made into innumerable prints and giclees. This your opportunity to own an original. Ray Swanson’s paintings featuring cowboys and cattle drives—like this one—are some of his most sought after work. They have attained the highest prices at auction (the top 3 auction results) - between $75,000 - $90,000. Following fairly close behind in value and demand, and what he’s most famous for, are his realistic depictions of Native American communities - particular the Navajo of Arizona. This painting has a magnificent, balanced, evocative composition: tired and hungry cowboys sitting down for a cookout meal at dusk on the wild, open range. They are surrounded by a herd of Texas longhorn steer, the cattle they are driving to fresh grazing pastures or perhaps to market. The facial expressions of the weary cowboys are illuminated in the growing dark by the campfire - a beautiful contrast to the descending blackness enveloping the hills beyond them in the background. Painted mid-century, circa 1962 - 1965. Original oil on canvas. Signed lower right. Art is in excellent condition. The original frame is in good condition with some rubbing and light edge wear commensurate with age. Frame: 28” x 22” Art: 24” w x 18” h Please see pictures as they are an important part of the description and condition information. Ray Swanson (October 4, 1937 – December 17, 2004) was an American painter of the American West. Swanson began his career as an engineer in California, and he opened a gallery in Oak Glen, San Bernardino County, California, in the 1960s. In 1973, he left California to establish the Christian Academy of Prescott in Prescott, Arizona, in 1973. He later moved to Carefree, Arizona, where he opened a studio. Swanson was a member of the Cowboy Artists of America from 1986 to 2004. He won a gold medal from the National Academy of Western Art in 1975. His work was added to the collection of the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona. Your new work of art will be packed with the utmost care and fully insured with signature required upon delivery for your protection. I have been selling and buying on eBay for over 10 years and have a 100% satisfaction rating. Click on the 'see other items' link to the right of the picture to see my other fine art for sale (and rare books). And be sure to give me a follow!
Price: 8999.25 USD
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
End Time: 2024-12-28T02:51:56.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Artist: Ray Swanson
Signed By: Ray Swanson
Size: Medium
Signed: Yes
Period: Post-War (1940-1970)
Material: Canvas
Item Length: 28 in
Framing: Framed
Region of Origin: Arizona, USA
Subject: Cowboy, Cows, Steer, Texas, Community Life, Landscape
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 22 in
Style: Impressionism, Realism, Americana, Expressionism
Theme: People, Western, Nature, Americana, Animals, History
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Handmade: Yes
Time Period Produced: 1960-1969
