John J. Scott - Snowy Ranch 1976 24.7 x 43.625"

John J. Scott (American 1919-2016)
Snowy Ranch, 1976

Oil on canvas
Canvas: 24.7” x 43.625”
Frame: 29.625” x 48.7”

Signed with Artist’s Symbol and Dated Lower Right: John Scott / © 1976
Verso: Signed with Artist’s Symbol: John Scott

A tranquil wintery landscape, this picturesque view of a Colorado ranch of a rather large scale features an entrance gate adorned with an antlered elk skull, a lone horse in the coral before a log cabin with firelight shining through its windows, several charming barn buildings, clusters of deciduous and tall snow-encrusted evergreens bordering the ranch, the hills beyond lined with more evergreens, and billowing clouds in the sky above that almost camouflage the grand mountains not to be dismissed in the distance. A peaceful winter retreat replete with quiet beauty and blanketed in pristine snow by Coloradan artist John Scott.

John Scott was an American artist of Scottish heritage. He lived in a log cabin in the woods of Kittredge, Colorado that he built from the ground up and created sculptures and paintings inspired by the wildlife and scenery of Colorado and Wyoming. According to his wife Dorothy, "He was always working and always looking for something to throw himself into completely." Of note, John was immensely proud of his Scottish heritage, learned to play the bag pipes, and wore his Clan Scott tartan kilt. John was also an avid hunter of large game in Colorado and Wyoming as well as British Columbia and Alaska.

Not only did John build his log cabin which he called "Brig-O-Doon" - he also built and operated his own studio and foundry. Indeed, John's passion for his chosen profession was boundless; in his words, "Art is a monster that sweeps over me and it seems I never satisfy that creative spirit."

A little note on John Scott's signature ram symbol: Scott was greatly inspired by Charles Marion Russell whose emblem was a buffalo skull symbolizing his strong connection to the American West. Following in Russell's footsteps, Scott chose the ram as his symbol, because the Rocky Mountain bighorn ram with its massive curling horns is the state animal of his beloved Colorado. John Scott loved his homeland and his art has been exhibited throughout the American Southwest and beyond in reputable galleries of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and California.

Provenance:
Private John J. Scott Collection, Kittredge, Colorado, USA, acquired from the late John J. Scott
Artemis Gallery, December 1, 2022, Lot 193
Private Collection, Utah