An original 1995 letter from Ginger K. Renner authenticating this as a lifetime cast will accompany the lot.

According to author and Russell historian Rick Stewart, “The standard interpretation of the Piegan Squaw subject has been that Russell was portraying Keeoma, a fictional Blackfoot woman from a story by William Bleasdell Cameron. Russell depicted the heroine in an illustration for Western Field and Stream, which published Cameron’s story in July 1897. Russell created the original painter plaster model of the Piegan Squaw in 1902, just a few years after Cameron’s article appeared, so he may have had Keeoma in mind. On the other hand, the artist could easily have intended this evocative portrait to represent the strong, heroic type of Indian woman that he admired and had already depicted in many of his works.”

PROVENANCE:
Col. R. L. Harrison, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1940s
Private Collection, by descent

LITERATURE:
Frederic G. Renner, Charles M. Russell: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture in the Amon Carter Museum (New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1984), page 77, example illustrated
Rick Stewart, Charles M. Russell Sculptor (Fort Worth, TX: Amon Carter Museum, 1994), pages 331-335, example illustrated

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders; such statements are educated opinions and should not be regarded as facts. The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has no responsibility for any errors or omissions.