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Lot 39: Oscar E. Berninghaus, (1874-1952, Taos, NM), "A Street in Taos", Oil on canvas laid to canvas, 22.5" H x 28" W

Est: $60,000 USD - $80,000 USDSold:
John Moran AuctioneersMonrovia, CA, USMay 25, 2021

Item Overview

Description

Oscar E. Berninghaus
(1874-1952, Taos, NM)
"A Street in Taos"
Oil on canvas laid to canvas
Signed and inscribed lower right: O.E. Berninghaus / "Taos", titled on the stretcher remnant
22.5" H x 28" W

Provenance: Sale: Sotheby's New York, May, 25, 1988, Lot 107
Private Collection, Santa Barbara, California

Notes: Born in Saint Louis Missouri in 1874, Oscar Berninghaus was trained from childhood in his family's lithography business. As a young boy, he employed his precocious talent for the medium by establishing his own business selling his works to tourists and local newspapers. By sixteen, he was already working professionally, honing his technical skills at a local print house. Three years later, Berninghaus joined Woodward & Tiernan, the nations's foremost printing company. During this period, he also sought new technical skills and artistic training, enrolling in night classes at Washington University School of Fine Art.

Showing in his first solo exhibition at 25, Oscar garnered attention from the Rio Grande Railroad and McClures magazine. He was commissioned to draw and paint the Southwest, riding the train through the region. Berninghaus was drawn to New Mexico's landscape and made an unplanned stop along the train route, spending a life-changing week in Taos. He met fellow artist Bert Geer Phillips and the pair would go on to become lifelong friends and founding members of the Taos Society of Artists. During this period, Harper's Weekly would hail that "although a young man, [Berninghaus], has gained the reputation as a painter of the American Indians. He ranks among the foremost of Indian painters in the country."1

In 1904 Berninghaus had two works selected to be a part of the St. Louis World's Fair. This exposure led him to become one of St. Louis's most notable artists. Joining the St. Louis Artists' Guild, the Society of Western Artists, and the Salmagundi Club, his contributions were unmatched. The Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum commented that "Berninghaus' long-standing reputation and popularity will make him as hard to ignore in the future as in the past… [with] his great professionalism, dedication to art, sure skill and expertise with pen and brush… [and] the continuity of meaning in his art from the past to the present."2

For 25 years, beginning in 1900, the artist took leave from his illustration job and family in St. Louis to travel to Taos every summer. He spent days at a time working on accurately portraying the color palette and texture of his beloved home-away-from-home. "A Street in Taos" offers a sweeping, atmospheric landscape, capturing an authentic portrayal of the modernizing daily life of the Taos Indians. The scene features a group of figures, a covered wagon, and a steer. In the background are adobe structures that are gently shadowed by full, white clouds. The daily life of Pueblo Indians was a subject the artist spent years observing and detailing in his sketches. Later in his life, Berninghaus would be able to paint these scenes and figures from memory: "As an artist, he was fascinated with the way the sun and sky along with the mountains and buildings seem to blend harmoniously. Even the Indians appeared to be made of the same pigments as their Pueblo, their horses, their field[s]."3

In 1925, he decided to move to Taos, remaining there with his family until his death in 1952. The pillars to his success would be his unfettered access to the native community, his deep respect for their way of life, and his raw and nurtured talent that he applied to the lifelong study of the Pueblo Indians and New Mexico landscape. "Here indeed was an almost unspoiled wilderness that stirred something deep inside his being."

1 G.E. Sanders, Oscar Berninghaus, Taos, New Mexico, Master Painter of American Indians and the Frontier West,, Taos Heritage Publishing Company, 1985, p. 14.
2 Ibid., p. IX.
3 Ibid., p. 10.

Dimensions

22.5" H x 28" W

Medium

Oil on canvas laid to canvas

Condition Report

Visual: Generally good condition. Craquelure throughout. Tiny flecks of paint loss scattered throughout. Minor surface dirt throughout.

Blacklight: A 2" x 4" 'L' shaped area of touch-up in the center building. A 3.75" H x 5" W scattered area of very minor touch-up with flecks of loss in the upper right edge. Some areas of loss fluoresce from underpaint. Other very minor scattered flecks of touch-up throughout. Mountains fluoresce consistent with wax residue from lining.

Frame: 29.75" H x 35.75" W x 3.5" D

Provenance

Sale: Sotheby's New York, May, 25, 1988, Lot 107
Private Collection, Santa Barbara, California

Notes

Born in Saint Louis Missouri in 1874, Oscar Berninghaus was trained from childhood in his family's lithography business. As a young boy, he employed his precocious talent for the medium by establishing his own business selling his works to tourists and local newspapers. By sixteen, he was already working professionally, honing his technical skills at a local print house. Three years later, Berninghaus joined Woodward & Tiernan, the nations's foremost printing company. During this period, he also sought new technical skills and artistic training, enrolling in night classes at Washington University School of Fine Art.

Showing in his first solo exhibition at 25, Oscar garnered attention from the Rio Grande Railroad and McClures magazine. He was commissioned to draw and paint the Southwest, riding the train through the region. Berninghaus was drawn to New Mexico's landscape and made an unplanned stop along the train route, spending a life-changing week in Taos. He met fellow artist Bert Geer Phillips and the pair would go on to become lifelong friends and founding members of the Taos Society of Artists. During this period, Harper's Weekly would hail that "although a young man, [Berninghaus], has gained the reputation as a painter of the American Indians. He ranks among the foremost of Indian painters in the country."1

In 1904 Berninghaus had two works selected to be a part of the St. Louis World's Fair. This exposure led him to become one of St. Louis's most notable artists. Joining the St. Louis Artists' Guild, the Society of Western Artists, and the Salmagundi Club, his contributions were unmatched. The Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum commented that "Berninghaus' long-standing reputation and popularity will make him as hard to ignore in the future as in the past… [with] his great professionalism, dedication to art, sure skill and expertise with pen and brush… [and] the continuity of meaning in his art from the past to the present."2

For 25 years, beginning in 1900, the artist took leave from his illustration job and family in St. Louis to travel to Taos every summer. He spent days at a time working on accurately portraying the color palette and texture of his beloved home-away-from-home. "A Street in Taos" offers a sweeping, atmospheric landscape, capturing an authentic portrayal of the modernizing daily life of the Taos Indians. The scene features a group of figures, a covered wagon, and a steer. In the background are adobe structures that are gently shadowed by full, white clouds. The daily life of Pueblo Indians was a subject the artist spent years observing and detailing in his sketches. Later in his life, Berninghaus would be able to paint these scenes and figures from memory: "As an artist, he was fascinated with the way the sun and sky along with the mountains and buildings seem to blend harmoniously. Even the Indians appeared to be made of the same pigments as their Pueblo, their horses, their field[s]."3

In 1925, he decided to move to Taos, remaining there with his family until his death in 1952. The pillars to his success would be his unfettered access to the native community, his deep respect for their way of life, and his raw and nurtured talent that he applied to the lifelong study of the Pueblo Indians and New Mexico landscape. "Here indeed was an almost unspoiled wilderness that stirred something deep inside his being."

1 G.E. Sanders, Oscar Berninghaus, Taos, New Mexico, Master Painter of American Indians and the Frontier West,, Taos Heritage Publishing Company, 1985, p. 14.
2 Ibid., p. IX.
3 Ibid., p. 10.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Buyers are responsible for arranging their own shipping estimates and deliveries. Moran's in our discretion and as a courtesy to buyers, can arrange to have purchased lots packed, insured and forwarded by a third-party shipper at the request, expense and risk of the buyer. Moran's assumes no responsibility for acts or omissions in such packing or shipping by other packers or carriers, even if recommended by Moran's. Nor does Moran's assume any responsibility for any damage to picture frames or to the glass therein. In circumstances where Moran's arranges for such third-party services, Moran's may apply an administration charge of 15% of that service fee.

Auction Details

Art of the American West

by
John Moran Auctioneers
May 25, 2021, 12:00 PM PST

145 East Walnut Avenue, Monrovia, CA, 91016, US

Terms

Live bidding may start higher or lower

Buyer's Premium

$0 - 500,000:25.0%
$500,001 - 1,000,000:18.0%
$1,000,001+:15.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$499$25
$500$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,500
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$199,999$10,000
$200,000$499,999$25,000
$500,000+$50,000

CONDITIONS OF SALE

Terms and Conditions for John Moran Auctioneers
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AUCTION HOUSE AS AGENT
Except as otherwise stated, John Moran Auctioneers Moran's) acts as agent for the seller. The contract for the sale of the property is therefore made between the seller and the buyer.

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Credit card payments will be subject to an additional 3.5% buyer's premium. Buyers outside the United States must submit payment via wire transfer. Credit cards are not an accepted form of payment for buyers outside the United States. Buyers are strongly encouraged to provide full payment at the auction. Payment must be received by Moran's within five business days immediately following the auction. The buyer shall not acquire title or take possession of the lot until all amounts (including the hammer price, premium and applicable taxes) due to Moran's have been paid in full.

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(e) All Sales Final: Notwithstanding other terms mentioned herein, refunds shall be given at Moran's sole discretion. Refunds requested on the grounds of authenticity must be made within 10 days of the auction and accompanied by a supporting written statement from a recognized authority (defined as a person who has authored, edited, or substantially contributed to a monograph on the artist, a person who has curated, organized or substantially contributed to a solo exhibition on the artist, a person who has represented the artist's estate or someone who represented or worked closely with the artist while they were alive and, in any of the above instances physically handled works of the period, medium and subject matter in question during the course of their duties) stating that the object sold is incorrect or not the work of the artist. Dealers, appraisers and representatives of other auction firms do not qualify as authenticators of individual artists unless they have had such specific involvement with that artist's work, as specified above, in addition to their daily duties. Refunded lots must be returned to Moran's in the same condition as when sold. Moran's does not grant extensions to refund considerations based upon authenticity due to shipping delays. There are no exceptions to this refund policy.

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(c) Severability: Should any of these conditions be deemed unenforceable, invalid or illegal in any court having jurisdiction, that part shall be discounted and shall have no effect on the enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein, which shall remain valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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CREDIT CARDS, CONTINUED

Buyers outside the United States must submit payment via wire transfer. Credit cards are not an accepted form of payment for buyers outside the United States.

TAXES

Applicable state sales tax applies unless a valid resale license is provided.

CONTRACT

Except as otherwise stated, John Moran Auctioneers (Moran's) acts as agent for the seller. The contract for the sale of the property is therefore made between the seller and the buyer.

SALE CONDITIONS

Payment and Title Transfer: The buyer agrees to pay the sum of the hammer price plus Buyer's Premium, plus any applicable sales tax. Buyer's Premium is calculated as follows: 25% on the first $500,000 of the hammer price, plus 18% on any amount between $500,001 - $1,000,000, and 15% on any amount above $1,000,000 when paying by cash, check or wire transfer. Successful bidders using Live Auctioneers platform will be charged a Buyer's Premium of: 30% on the first $500,000 of the hammer price, plus 23% on any amount between $500,001 - $1,000,000, and 20% on any amount above $1,000,000 when paying by cash, check or wire transfer.

Credit card payments will be subject to an additional 3.5% acceptance fee. This fee is not more than the cost of accepting these cards. Buyers outside the United States must submit payment via wire transfer. Credit cards are not an accepted form of payment for buyers outside the United States. Buyers are strongly encouraged to provide full payment at the auction. Payment must be received by Moran's within five business days immediately following the auction. The buyer shall not acquire title or take possession of the lot until all amounts (including the hammer price, premium and applicable taxes) due to Moran's have been paid in full.

SHIPPING

Buyers are responsible for arranging their own shipping estimates and deliveries. Moran's in our discretion and as a courtesy to buyers, can arrange to have purchased lots packed, insured and forwarded by a third-party shipper at the request, expense and risk of the buyer. Moran's assumes no responsibility for acts or omissions in such packing or shipping by other packers or carriers, even if recommended by Moran's. Nor does Moran's assume any responsibility for any damage to picture frames or to the glass therein. In circumstances where Moran's arranges for such third-party services, Moran's may apply an administration charge of 15% of that service fee.

BUYERS PREMIUM

The buyer agrees to pay the sum of the hammer price plus Buyer's Premium, plus any applicable sales tax. Buyer's Premium is calculated as follows: 25% on the first $500,000 of the hammer price, plus 18% on any amount between $500,001 - $1,000,000, and 15% on any amount above $1,000,000 when paying by cash, check or wire transfer. Successful bidders using Live Auctioneers platform will be charged a Buyer's Premium of: 30% on the first $500,000 of the hammer price, plus 23% on any amount between $500,001 - $1,000,000, and 20% on any amount above $1,000,000 when paying by cash, check or wire transfer.

CONDITION

Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.

All property is sold as is. Neither Moran's nor the consignor or our associates make any representation, express or implied warranty (including merchantability and fitness) or guarantee in condition, age, size, provenance, medium, signature, inscription, exhibition history, importance, rarity, country of origin, genuineness, historical relevance, monetary or other value, framing or lack thereof, mounting, conservation, coloring, palette, inscription, edition, style, label or other descriptor. No statement in the catalogue, brochures, website, bill of sale or invoice, any supplementary material, or statements by any Moran's employee shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability.