206

Verso:
Label (partial), Brown & Bigelow, “#787”

According to Larry Len Peterson, “If Carl Rungius is celebrated for his paintings of moose, then Goodwin should be distinguished by his paintings of bears. More than other animals, Goodwin relished painting the bear—sometimes using a fierce threatening posture, or at the mercy of a hunter’s Winchester, or perhaps just looming in forest shadows. Whatever the scenario, Goodwin loved bears. As years rolled by, he became more concerned with wildlife conservation and chose to depict the mischievous and playful nature of his characters. Adopting a theme from Russell’s paintings and bronzes, Goodwin depicted bears and cubs investigating campsites, where they usually surprised their human counterparts. While Goodwin was completely at ease painting other wildlife—moose, antelope, elk, caribou, mountain goats, and big horn sheep—it remained the bear that he and his patrons most coveted.”

PROVENANCE:
The Artist
Brown & Bigelow, St. Paul, Minnesota
The Estate of Earl Brown, St. Paul, Minnesota
Present owner, by descent, 1964

LITERATURE:
Larry Len Peterson, Philip R. Goodwin, America’s Sporting & Western Artist (Hayden, ID and Tucson, AZ: The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction and Settlers West Galleries, 2001), page 293, illustrated print

Condition ReportOriginal canvas. Slight bar mark at top-edge portion of painting. Surface condition is excellent. No signs of restoration.

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.