Hurlstone Fairchild (American, 1893-1966), Desert Distance

Oil on canvas, 1948, signed at lower right, presented in the likely original frame, inscribed on the frame verso "Santa Anna / California. Jan. 2, 1948."

Stretcher size 25 1/4 x 30 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 31 x 35 1/4 in.

Private Collection, Chapel Hill

From the Collection of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Boyd, Kenilworth, Illinois
Private Collection, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Accompanied by a copy of the original sales receipt signed by the artist and dated March 10, 1948. Mr. Fairchild notes on the receipt that he composed this painting from sketches in the Sierrita Mountains south of Tucson.

Donald H. Fairchild, "Hurlston Fairchild," was born in Danville, Illinois. He was a self-taught illustrator, writer, and painter celebrated for his depictions of the American Southwest, particularly the Grand Canyon. Educated at the Universities of Illinois and Michigan and trained as a mining engineer at the Missouri School of Mines, he initially pursued engineering before turning to art, inspired by the vast desert landscapes he encountered through his work. After settling in Arizona, he became a prominent advocate for Southwestern art, co-founding the Gallery of Southwestern Art in Tucson with Ruth Warner and Vera Patterson. His 1950 publication Grand Canyon Sketches and Verse reflected his deep connection to the region, and his work is represented in the Grand Canyon National Park Collection. Recognized for his significant contributions to the cultural life of the Southwest, Fairchild was also honored as a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy, a distinction awarded to only a select few Americans.

Light surface grime; overall in good estate condition.