298

Olaf Carl Seltzer (1877-1957), Mule Deer in the Valley, c. 1935
Dimensions: 24 x 24
Framed/base Dimensions: 30 1/4 x 30 1/4 x 3
Signature: signed lower right: O.C.SELTZER.

oil on canvas
24 x 24 in.

  • Provenance: J. N Bartfield Galleries, New York, NY (label verso)
    CM Russell Auction of Original Western Art, 2004, lot 236 (label verso)
    Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (label verso)
    Private Collection, Denver, CO
    From a Private Collection
  • Notes:

    Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Seltzer was accepted as a special student at the Art and Technical Institute of Copenhagen at the age of twelve. When Seltzer was fourteen he emigrated to Great Falls, Montana with his mother where he worked briefly as a cowboy. Hired as an apprentice machinist for the Great Northern Railroad, and then as a locomotive repairman, he made sketches in ink in his spare time. At twenty, encouraged by a Canadian patron, he began to paint in oil. His style was similar to his neighbor Charles Russell, who had encouraged him and also painted with him on trips.

    At forty-four, Seltzer became a full time painter when he was laid off by the railroad. He met immediate success as a Russell disciple, going to New York City in 1926 to complete some of Russell's commissions. In 1930 he was engaged by a wealthy patron, Dr. Philip Cole, to paint a series of miniatures of Montana history. After 100 such works painted under a magnifying glass, his sight weakened so that thereafter he could paint only in bright light. He nevertheless completed over 2,500 paintings. At the age of 79, Seltzer was still painting at his easel from his wheelchair. Ranked as an important Western painter today, Seltzer left his distinctive mark on the art world.

  • Condition: The painting appears to be in good condition with faint craquelure throughout - the paint layer appears stable. The painting was viewed under blacklight and does not show any indication of inpainting. The frame appears to be in very good condition.

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