Coeur d'Alene Art Auction
A landscape painting by Maynard Dixon, showcasing a colossal cumulus cloud billowing over an open range, held a striking presence at the front of the auction room. In the foreground, cowboys herded cattle as crisp composed shapes of color defined every facet of the scene. “Open Range” went on to sell for $2,015,000 at Coeur d’Alene’s July 2025 Auction in Reno. As the top selling lot, this beautifully constructed painting by Dixon is emblematic of the art that continues to mystify the West and captivate collectors and buyers alike. This auction brought together some of the most influential visual interpreters of this Western world to be received and appreciated. The technical mastery and spirit of Howard Terpning’s powerful portraits of Native Americans graced the auction stage, alongside rare works by Native American artist Oscar Howe. The celebrated and unmistakable creations of Charles M. Russell, Bob Kuhn, Joseph Henry Sharp, and Logan Maxwell Hagege also testified to the diverse styles and eras gathered at this auction.
Sitting in the auction room, paddle 110 resting on my lap atop a stack of papers and the auction catalog, I took in the energy of the packed room — alive with excited voices and, more profoundly, the voices behind each artwork.
An art auction is an environment charged with anticipation. You never know who will bid on what, and sometimes the simplest most overlooked piece can fetch the highest price if two buyers desire it. It’s unpredictable, fast-paced, and thrilling. As the auctioneer called out numbers as fast as fireworks lighting up the 4th of July sky, my mind raced and eyes widened at the staggering values achieved. With a list of works my client hoped to acquire in front of me, I found myself wondering: Why do people buy art?
We live in a world where instant gratification is expected with everything you purchase. But art is different. It’s not something you physically use, wear, or operate—it offers something far greater. Art sets a spirit, a tone, a mindset. It shapes the space it inhabits, infuses it with energy, offers a place of fulfillment, and, most importantly, cultivates appreciation. Someone created each piece—someone who dedicated time, talent, and often their livelihood to the craft. Why do artists make art? Rarely for wealth—only a few like Jeff Koons or Damien Hirst reach such levels—but they begin this path of art making because they love it. To do what you love is beautiful. And to acquire a work born from that love and inspiration is equally beautiful.
This beauty was evident as the bidding progressed. Nearly every lot sold, with only a few failing to meet reserves. Buyers were eager to acquire works they loved and felt drawn to. I took note of which artists generated the most excitement: naturally, Maynard Dixon and Charles M. Russell, who have long commanded deep interest and whose distinct aesthetics have set them apart, were naturally the top selling lots of the auction. Bob Kuhn’s works were also especially popular, signaling a strong admiration for African wildlife and the anatomical precision and hyperrealism he achieved. Paul Pletka’s intense, multi-layered Native American paintings—with their exaggerated features and vivid colors—also sold at or above high estimates, revealing a keen interest in personalized and stylized interpretations of the West.
The Taos artists, longtime favorites of mine, also performed well, though they didn’t ignite quite the same enthusiasm as others. There were exquisite standouts by Joseph Henry Sharp, Eanger Irving Couse, Oscar E. Berninghaus, and Bert Geer Phillips. As preservers of the spirit of the West, these artists occupy a distinct and respected place in the art market. While perhaps not the most popular at the moment, those interested made their passion clear, and all these works found homes in collections where they truly belong.
As I watched the auction unfold, the dialogue between the new and the nostalgic kept coming to mind. The desire to own something “new”—a fresh style, a novel technique, or a unique perception—is an insatiable impulse that drives collectors and the art world alike. Yet artists like Sharp and Couse, visual interpreters of the cultural essence of the West, whose European training lent their work a celebrated technical mastery, evoke a nostalgia that continues to enrich collectors. Ultimately, everyone is drawn to what resonates personally. I believe both paths in art—embracing the new and honoring the nostalgic—will continue to flourish, as the auction demonstrated.
The auction was a success for my client, with beautiful works acquired and added to a burgeoning collection.The appetite for art, especially Western Art remains strong. This category represents a crossroads of multiple styles and voices, again a testament to the influence of the West and the fact that it is still inspiring Contemporary artists and collectors today.