Pointers in a Southwestern Landscape (Two Pointers on the Scent)
Original painting or high-quality limited edition print; landscape format on paper or board with matting. • Likely Bob Kuhn (1920–2007) or an artist working in his immediate school/style, such as John Banovich or Robert Abbett.
Style & Movement
American Wildlife Realism / Sporting Art with Western Regionalism influences.
Medium & Technique
Likely oil or tempera on board, or a high-end offset lithograph after an original oil. The technique features loose, impressionistic brushwork, wet-on-wet application in the sky, and precise scumbling in the parched grass.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s–1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 24 x 36 inches (sight size); horizontal landscape format.
Subject Description
Two English Pointers are depicted in a frozen point amidst a rugged arid landscape. The composition is anchored by a gnarled, weathered tree structure and low-lying scrub. In the background, red rock mesas and hazy mountains evoke the Arizona or New Mexico high desert. The iconography focuses on the relationship between working dogs, the hunt, and the untamed wilderness.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good. The image appears stable with no major flaking or losses visible.
Estimated Market Value
If a print: $200 – $500. If an original oil by a major sporting artist (e.g., Kuhn): $25,000 – $60,000.
Auction Estimate
If an original painting: $30,000 – $50,000. If a print: $100 – $300.
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a sporting art gallery or high-end wildlife art auction. No visible labels are present in the photograph, but the framing suggests a professional gallery mounting from the 1980s or 90s.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the peak of the North American sporting art tradition. Artists like Kuhn revolutionized the genre by shifting away from static anatomical 'portraits' toward dynamic, atmospheric scenes that capture the specific light and ecology of the American West.
Notable Features
Striking use of negative space in the gnarled branches echoing the lean muscularity of the pointers. There is a faint signature in the lower center brushwood that requires closer examination to confirm attribution.
Condition Issues
Possible light fading of the reds/pinks in the background mountains due to UV exposure; some minor surface dust accumulation inside the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the artwork is behind UV-protective glass. If it is an original, ensure it is matted with acid-free museum-grade boards to prevent 'mat burn.' Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.