158

VERSO
Label, Christie’s, New York, New York
Label, Kennedy Galleries, New York, New York

Farny biographer Denny Carter wrote, “Henry Farny was an artist of many contradictions. A European by birth and training, this sophisticated artist achieved success through his sensitive depictions of the Indian people and their native country. Farny displayed his romanticism by portraying these exotic people, but he did so in a realistic style. Further, while Farny was essentially a conservative artist, he adopted several new and advanced concepts to his realism. He gained a reputation as an illustrator and as a painter for both his narrative and purely artistic skills.”

In 1894 Farny traveled to Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory at the invitation of General Nelson Miles and painted Apache Geronimo, Kiowa, and Comanche. President Theodore Roosevelt opined that when seeing Farny’s paintings, “I have seen exactly that landscape a hundred times. It is perfect. It is the real West.” The president also said, “Farny, the nation owes you a great debt. It does not realize it now but it will some day. You are preserving for future generations phases of American history that are rapidly passing away.”

PROVENANCE
Kennedy Galleries, New York, New York
Christie’s, New York, New York, 1992
Private collection, Houston, Texas

Condition ReportSurface is in good, lined condition. Faint hairline cracks in snow and sky. Two spots of inpainting on the mountain’s peak. Spots of inpainting in rocks and in the upper-right quadrant. Specks of inpainting in foreground.

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.