An unparalleled trove of masterpieces, Visions of the West: The William I. Koch Collection is the most important and valuable American Western Art auction in history. The low estimate of this landmark sale, in the range of $50 million, more than doubles the previous record for any American Western Art auction in history. Visions of the West is a two-part series that will take place at Christie's Rockefeller Center, with an the historic Visions of the West: The William I. Koch Collection Evening Sale on 20 January, and at high noon on 21 January, Visions of the West: The William I. Koch Collection Day Sale; works will be on view at Christie's 16-20 January.
This event will offer an unsurpassed array of American Western Art, including masterworks by Frederic Remington, Albert Bierstadt, and Charles Marion Russell. The Remingtons, featuring 16 rare and important sculptures, as well as some of his greatest paintings, are particularly noteworthy. This collection of masterworks was assembled by William I. Koch, a man of deep and varied interests, known as an industrialist, scientist, winner of the America's Cup and more. His lifelong passion for magnificent works of art, including the art of the American West, has resulted in a collection that is recognized and acclaimed worldwide.
The lead lot in the sale is Frederic Remington's stunning sunset painting Coming to the Call (estimate: $6,000,000-8,000,000), which critics hailed during the artist's day as one of his four best paintings.
Other important works by Remington offered include both a large and small version of The Broncho Buster, his most iconic sculptural work. The small version pictured in this release is on permanent display at the White House.
Other world class Remingtons include the cinematic nocturne Argument with the Town Marshall (estimate: $4,000,000-6,000,000),
his bronze Coming Through the Rye (estimate: $4,000,000-6,000,000)
and the only cast of the rare sculpture The Horse Thief remaining in private hands from the limited edition of three (estimate: $3,000,000-5,000,000).
Charles Marion Russell is represented by magnificent and the sweeping canvases The Sun Worshippers (estimate: $4,000,000-6,000,000)
and Dust ($5,000,000-7,000,000).
In addition to the masterworks by Remington and Russell, this collection presents a range of important American Art spanning more than a century.
Alfred Jacob Miller's iconic The Buffalo Hunt, circa 1850 (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000)
and Albert Bierstadt's luminist landscape Mountain Lake (estimate: $2,000,000-3,000,000).
N.C. Wyeth, the patriarch of the Wyeth family, depicts American legends Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok in a card game gone wrong in Wild Bill Hickok at the Cards (estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000).
Bill Koch comments, “With hard work, business success, and a great deal of luck, I have been fortunate to collect things that resonate with me. The treasures in the sale are among my favorites, but it is time to pass along these pieces of history to other collectors who share my passion for the West – a place of great beauty, simplicity, and codes that have strongly influenced my life. I do hope that art lovers around the world, old and new, can take the same enjoyment as I have, in collecting these works. My hope is that in this sale collectors will find something that speaks to their passion and that they are able to share it with their friends and loved ones.”
