257

Bob Kuhn (1920-2007), Prime Time
Dimensions: 13 3/4 x 17 3/4
Framed/base Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 24 1/2 x 2
Signature: signed center left: Kuhn

acrylic on board
13 3/4 x 17 3/4 in.

  • Provenance: From a Private Collection
  • Notes:

    In Prime Time, a bull moose commands the center of the canvas, its massive antlers cutting a dramatic silhouette against the autumnal landscape. Bob Kuhn’s approach often involved placing his subjects in a setting that feels both real and poetic, as evidenced here. The animal stands alert, its body rendered with brushwork that balances detail and freedom—its coat is depicted not hair-by-hair but through bold, expressive strokes that suggest the roughness and luster of its fur. Kuhn described this method as purposely “cheating on the facts” where necessary—to emphasize, augment, or amplify the spirit of the scene rather than merely record its details.

    The background is painted with wide swaths of color, drawing inspiration from modernists like Mark Rothko, who influenced Kuhn’s understanding of vibrating shapes and saturated hues. The warm tones suggest peak autumn, a time synonymous with the moose’s own “prime.” The environment is not painstakingly detailed but rather evoked through suggestion, keeping the attention anchored on the moose’s presence while conveying the expanse and drama of the wild.

    Kuhn often said that his mission as an artist was not just to document wildlife but to act as a “balladeer” for the last great mammals of the earth. In Prime Time he expresses admiration and respect for the moose’s unique form and solitary strength. The title itself—Prime Time—evokes both a season of life and heightened intensity in nature. There’s a dignity and vigilance in the animal’s stance that suggests prime physical condition and acute awareness. This work is representative of Kuhn’s lifelong devotion to painting animals with both scientific accuracy and dynamic artistry, a combination that solidified his reputation as one of the greatest wildlife artists of the 20th century.

  • Condition: The painting and the frame both appear to be in very good condition.

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September 13, 2025 10:00 AM MDT
Jackson, WY, US

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