The Trail Boss (Settlers and Seeds—Civilization's Forerunners)

Details

WILLIAM HERBERT DUNTON (1878-1936)
The Trail Boss (Settlers and Seeds—Civilization's Forerunners)
signed 'W. Herbert Dunton.' (lower right)
oil on canvas
36 x 24 in. (91.4 x 61 cm.)
Painted circa 1910.

Provenance

The artist.
D.M. Ferry & Co., Detroit, Michigan, commissioned from the above.
Harris Moran, Modesto, California, acquired from the above.
Michaan's Auctions, Alameda, California, 9 June 2012, lot 2082.
Private collection, Wyoming, acquired from the above.
Jackson Hole Art Auction, Jackson, Wyoming, 15 September 2012, lot 110, sold by the above.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.

Further details

This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of works by W. Herbert Dunton being compiled by Michael R. Grauer.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Tylee Abbott Senior Vice President, Head of American Art

tabbott@christies.com +1 212 707 5925

Lot Essay

According to Michael R. Grauer, "The Trail Boss likely leads a wagon train from Independence or Westport, Missouri, on the Santa Fe Trail...Dunton knew well the harshness of the arid West, as well as the correct 'rigs' for Westerners, including the Winchester carried by and the fringed buckskin suit worn by the grizzled 'old timer' leading the wagon train...The Trail Boss sports starred gauntlets, Mexican spurs, a sombrero, and a 'turkey red' bandana, which may indicate that he is a Texan, or at least a Southwesterner." (unpublished letter, 2025)

Initially owned by the D.M. Ferry Seed Company, the present work was commissioned as part of the Settler and Seeds—Civilizations Forerunners series as an advertisement illustration for their seed packets.

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