Patinated bronze, signed U G Speed (Cowboy Artist of America logo) / (cipher) ©1971, edition numbered 23/25, mounted on a wood base.

Included with the Lot is an artist signed catalogue of Grant's work by Don Hedgpeth; an artist signed exhibition catalogue from the Missouri Athletic Club titled The West In Paint and Bronze, March 13th-April 6th, 1974, featuring the sculpture (possibly when the piece was purchased); and three other related catalogues.

17 3/4 x 11 x 10 in.

Private Collection, Raleigh, North Carolina

According to Don Hedgpeth's 1979 published catalogue From Broncos to Bronzes: The Life and Work of Grant Speed, "This is Grant's best bucking horse to date. It combines all of the power and strength inherent in such man-against-horse confrontations. The bronze was designed in such a way as to create a sense of thrusting motion. The title of the piece says something about Grant's knowledge of the reality of cowboy life. Rather than the implication that this is an extraordinary event, it is presented as just another cowboy doing a routine part of his job. The high degree of drama was commonplace as the cowboy went about his daily work."

Grant Speed grew up in West Texas around his uncle's ranch and neighboring ranches learning to ride and rope as a cowhand. Speed received his Bachelor of Science degree in "Animal Science" from Brigham Young University in 1959, and it was here that Speed completed his first serious sculpture. In 1965, he joined a group of western artists, "The Cowboy Artists of America "(CAA), and has served several times as CAA the president.
Speed has completed several commissions in Texas, and has exhibited at the Phoenix Art Museum and the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Cody, Wyoming. Among his awards is the Gold Medal for Sculpture, Cowboy Artists of America Annual, and the Purchase Award, Men's Art Council of Phoenix Art Museum. Grant Speed's work is in the collections of the Whitney Gallery of Western Art and the Diamond M. Museum.

Upper areas with some rubbing to the patina, otherwise good estate condition.

$1,500 - 3,000