@Auction Snapshot: American Art

This July, Artfact had the privilege to partner with The Coeur D’Alene Art Auction in a stunning display of 19thand 20th Century Western and American Art. Featured at the auction was artist Edward Borein (1872-1945) who’s Los Rancheros Visitadores sold to an Artfact online bidder for over $50,000! Not only is the work a significant contribution of Americana; it masterfully depicts a tradition that continues to this day.

Borein was born in San Leandro, California and began sketching herded cattle and cowboys at the age of 5. Enrolled at the San Francisco Art School at 19, he later became a successful illustrator for the San Francisco Call.[1] After a brief stint in New York, Borein moved back to California in 1921 where he taught at the Santa Barbara School of the Arts until his death in 1945.

As the story goes, it was the spring of 1929 when Borein suggested to his friend Elmer Awl that they gather a group of comrades for riding and camping in the Santa Ynez Valley. In April, 1930, Awl organized a short six mile ride. Among them was ranch owner Thomas Wilson Dibblee who is credited with naming the group Los Rancheros Visitadores (The Visiting Ranchers).

The first official journey of The Rancheros lasted four days in May, 1930 and its membership has grown to almost 700 today. Over the years, The Rancheros have boasted many prominent American figures including Walt Disney, Clark Gable, and Ronald Reagan.[2] As an original member, Borein used his artistic skill to capture the inception of this great American tradition.

[1] http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/research/cms/FindingAids/BOREIN/tabid/176/Default.aspx

[2] Redmon, Michael. Santa Barbara Independent, Los Rancheros Visitadores Celebrating Horsemanship and Ranching on the South Coast, July 11th, 2012