If Only I Had A Spare Half A Million Dollars

Above, Norman Rockwell's portrait of John Wayne. 

Two favorites of mine came together in 1973. It was for a portrait sitting. The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum commissioned a painting of John Wayne by Norman Rockwell.

The painting by the legendary American artist Norman Rockwell is coming up for auction. It is estimated to fetch anywhere between $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.

According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide:

The Jackson Hole Art Auction announced that an iconic Norman Rockwell painting of John Wayne will headline the auction’s addendum. 

“They’re two American icons and legends,” auction coordinator Madison Webb said. “What Norman Rockwell did for Americana and illustration, Wayne did for the American West in film. To see two titans of industry come together is really amazing, and both left an indelible mark on the American landscape and culture.” 

The painting, a 38- by 31-inch oil on canvas, is estimated to worth between $1 and $1.5 million dollars. Fresh to the auction market, the painting was brought to the auction from a private collection. 

The auction, a signature event of September’s Fall Art Festival put on by Trailside Galleries and Gerald Peters Gallery, will take place Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. The year will feature the auction’s largest sale.

Above, John Wayne and Norman Rockwell during the time of the portrait sitting.

 Ah, if only I had a spare half million dollars to spare.

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