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Frank Tenney JohnsonThe Lawless Frontier by Frank Tenney Johnson1930
1930
$425,000
£316,128.14
€370,123.60
CA$593,019.33
A$663,605.27
CHF 346,503.49
MX$8,158,336.05
NOK 4,371,541.02
SEK 4,113,598.55
DKK 2,761,405.84
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About the Item
Frank Tenney Johnson
1874–1939 American
The Lawless Frontier
Signed, lower left: F Tenney Johnson A.N.A 1930
Oil on canvas
Frank Tenney Johnson’s The Lawless Frontier exemplifies the artist’s exceptional skill in capturing the rugged beauty and spirit of the American West. Known for his mastery of light and dynamic compositions, Johnson renders a striking scene of wild cowboys riding across a rocky trail under a vast Western sky. Here, Johnson brings to life the untamed energy and arresting beauty of the frontier, embodying why he is widely regarded as the artist who “represented the best in the Old West.”
The composition offers a powerful visual experience. Two cowboys ride across a rock-lined path, framed by distant mountains under a luminous sky. The cowboy at the rear holds his lasso open, suggesting the impending apprehension of an animal. Johnson’s precise, yet fluid brushwork creates a scene of palpable energy, with the figures almost on the verge of galloping off the canvas. Johnson developed a distinctive technique, layering a chalk-white base with a hint of vermilion—a method so meticulous it could take over a year per canvas. His modern brushwork and dedication to authenticity set a new standard in Western art, and the technique shines brilliantly in this composition.
Raised in Iowa near the historic Overland Trail, Johnson’s early fascination with the West inspired a lifelong dedication to capturing its landscapes and people. He studied under leading panoramic and animal painter Richard Lorenz and continued his training at the Art Students League in New York. His career flourished through his collaboration with Field and Stream magazine, which sponsored his extensive travels, eventually leading to commissions for the renowned Western author Zane Grey. Johnson’s success was cemented when collector Amon Carter purchased his entire exhibition at New York’s Biltmore Hotel. Today, his works are celebrated in major museum collections, including those of the Autry Museum of the American West and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and continue to achieve impressive prices at auction.
Dated 1930
Canvas: 24 1/2" high x 29 1/2" wide (62.23 x 74.93 cm)
Frame: 31" high x 36" wide x 2" deep (78.74 x 91.44x 5.08 cm)
Provenance:
Private collection, Texas
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
- Creator:Frank Tenney Johnson (1874 - 1939)
- Creation Year:1930
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 32-02491stDibs: LU18615371082
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