Auction:

American & European Works of Art - 3203B

Location:

Boston

Date / Time :

January 25, 2019 10:00AM

Description:

Harry Jackson (American, 1924-2011)

Range Burial
Signed, dated, and numbered "Harry Jackson/1959/4" and with a the artist's thumb print on the l.r. side edge, incised "PIETRASANTA ITALY FONDERIA/VIGNALI TOMASSI" on the l.r. edge of the back of the base.
Bronze with a black/brown patina, 15 x 43 x 23 in. (38.1 x 109.2 x 58.4 cm), presented without a plinth.
Condition: Dust and dirt to the interstices, areas of minor wear to the patina.

Provenance: The collection of Joseph Thomas Alvarez III, California.

N.B. Stampede (Lot 278) and Range Burial have been described as poles of violent energy versus absolute stillness. In approaching the subject of the burial, Harry Jackson was influenced by Gustave Courbet (French, 1819-1877), more specifically Courbet's monumental painting A Burial at Ornans done in 1849-1850. In that work, now in the Musée d'Orsay, Courbet depicted the burial of his great-uncle with challenging, unflattering accuracy and at a scale (10 x 22 feet) theretofore reserved for history or religious painting. The similarities with Jackson's Range Burial include not only impressive scale but the austere landscape, the gathering around the grave site of a multiple figures which are conceived as individual portraits, and the foreground open grave. Jackson substituted a blasted tree for the crucifix in Courbet's work.
Estimate $50,000-70,000

Range Burial was issued in an edition of 7, of which this is cast 4.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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