77

In The Frank Tenney Johnson Book Harold McCracken wrote, “As with so many other young men who came out into the great West, the free and rugged life on the open cattle range in the Colorado back country appealed strongly to Frank Tenney Johnson. He was reluctant to leave. There is little doubt that he could have become a good working cowboy or eventually a successful cattleman. He had all the qualifications and instincts inherited from his ancestors and own boyhood on a small Iowa farm. He liked the Colorado cowboys and their bosses; and he had a ‘way with horses’ that comes naturally to some people. He thoroughly enjoyed riding a spirited horse and had no fear of sending his horse at full speed in pursuit of a bovine bolter through brushy places where the next stop might be into a badger hole. For a good many reasons important to the cowboys he had become ‘accepted’ into their special fraternity.”

PROVENANCE
The Artist
Ray Lester Skofield, Santa Barbara, CA 1925
Private Collection, by descent until 2008
Private Collection, OR 2008
Private Collection, MT 2017

Condition ReportSurface condition is very good. Painting has been lined. Faint craquelure throughout. Several spots of inpainting in sky – primarily along the top, at the edge of frame. Several spots of inpainting on horse, near saddle; and to right of horse, near edge of frame.

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.