The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction is one of the most prestigious events for enthusiasts and collectors of western art.
The 2025 edition will take place on Saturday, July 26, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. Those interested can participate either directly in the room, thus experiencing all the excitement of the event, or online through the Bidsquare platform, which guarantees global access and great visibility.
The history of the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction
Founded in 1986 by Bob Drummond, Stuart Johnson, and Peter Stremmel, the auction quickly established itself as an international reference point for western and American art.
Thanks to the quality of the works offered and the professionalism of its founders, today it represents the most important auction dedicated to the genre, boasting world records for iconic works by artists like Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington.
Western art: a market in continuous expansion
The western art market has experienced significant expansion in recent years. Works like “Piegans” by Russell, sold for 5.6 million dollars, and “Cutting Out Pony Herds” by Remington, which reached 5.625 million dollars, confirm the appeal and growing value of this artistic genre.
Collectors from all over the world show interest in these works that embody the history and American identity.
The 5 main lots of the 2025 auction
Here are the five top lots absolutely not to be missed in the next edition:
- Lot 73: Charles M. Russell – Roping a Wolf
Technique: Gouache and watercolor (ca. 1918). Estimate: $500,000-$750,000. In this dynamic work, Russell masterfully captures the tension and conflict between man and nature, through the depiction of a cowboy engaged in taming a wild wolf.
- Lot 135: Charles M. Russell – Meat for Wild Men #35
Technique: Gouache and watercolor (1903). Estimate: $300,000-$500,000. The artist narratively describes the plains Indians’ hunt, highlighting his deep empathy and respect for native culture.
- Lot 247: Charles M. Russell – Where the Best of Riders Quit
Technique: Bronze sculpture (1921-22). Estimate: $300,000-$500,000. This iconic sculpture represents a moment filled with tension, with a cowboy challenging his limits on the edge of danger. A metaphor for human tenacity and courage.
- Lot 119: Joseph Henry Sharp – Tales of the Warbonnet
Technique: Oil on canvas. Estimate: $300,000-$500,000. Sharp, founder of the Taos Society, captures the sacredness of indigenous oral storytelling, creating a scene rich in atmosphere and warmth that enhances the cultural tradition.
- Lot 299: N. C. Wyeth – The Fight in the Peaks
Technique: Oil on canvas (ca. 1917). Estimate: $300,000-$500,000. Wyeth captures an epic clash in a mountainous landscape, with an intense and powerful composition that highlights his unmistakable narrative style.
Focus on contemporary art and the new generations
The auction is not dedicated exclusively to historical masters. We also find contemporary artists who continue to renew the western tradition:
- Howard Terpning – Posing for Posterity
Technique: Oil on canvas. Estimate: $100,000. This work depicts an elderly indigenous figure with great dignity, representing the memory and preservation of culture. - Mark Maggiori – Cowboy Study
Technique: Mixed media. Estimate: $25,000. Maggiori offers a modern and evocative portrait of the cowboy, using a cinematic style that evokes the epic of the classic western.
These examples demonstrate the evolution of western art and the growing fascination it continues to exert on new collectors.
Unmissable opportunities with affordable works by famous authors for western art
The auction also offers more accessible opportunities to start or enrich your collection with works by famous authors:
- Lot 2: Carl Rungius – Above Timberline
Technique: Print. Price: $3,000. A rare opportunity to own a work by one of the most renowned wildlife painters. - Lot 3: Olaf Wieghorst – Indian with Rifle
Technique: Mixed media. Price: $3,000. Wieghorst is famous for the detail and authenticity of his western works. - Lot 4: Edward Borein – Got ’em!
Technique: Watercolor. Price: $10,000. Dynamic and narrative, this work represents the best of western watercolor.
- Lot 5: Maynard Dixon – Mexican Man and Woman
Technique: Gouache. Price: $8,000. A simple yet powerful work by a key artist of the genre.
- Lot 10: LaVerne Nelson Black – On the Way to Cimarron
Technique: Oil. Price: $6,000. Black’s romantic and luminous visual narrative represents a valuable piece in the history of western art.
How to participate in the auction
To participate, simply register on the official Coeur d’Alene Art Auction website or via Bidsquare. You can view the complete catalog in advance, place online bids in real-time, or participate directly in the room to fully experience the unique atmosphere of the event.
The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction 2025 is a unique opportunity to explore and acquire extraordinary masterpieces of western art. Do not miss this special opportunity to closely admire works of inestimable artistic and historical value.
Social media manager at The Cryptonomist
