Olaf Wieghorst (American, 1899-1988) The Menace Signed 'O. Wieghorst'; also inscribed with Artist's monogram and copyright bottom right, oil on canvas (28 x 38 in. (71.1 x 96.5cm)) Provenance Collection of John DeGraf Napier, Jr. Gabriel Gallery, Cajon, California. Acquired directly from the above in 1984. Private Collection, Arizona. Footnote: Literature Southwest Art magazine, Issue XIV, June, 1984, p. 18 (illustrated). James E. Drye, Calendar Prints and Commercial Art of Olaf Wieghorst, Mesa, Arizona: Spidy Quality Publishing, 2008, no. 5 (illustrated). Note Olaf Wieghorst is best known for his Western genre paintings, which often feature American Indians, cowboys, and horses. He travelled widely throughout the American West and Midwest working as a cowboy in New Mexico and Arizona. A self taught artist, he became very popular during his lifetime. President Ronald Reagan said of Wieghorst: “From the opening of the American West until this present day, artists have sought to capture the rugged beauty, the drama and the romance of this unique part of our national heritage. None have been more successful than Olaf Wieghorst.” Today, Cajon, California is home to the Olaf Wieghorst Museum. The present painting, as well as Lot 37, are featured in the film Olaf Wieghorst: Painter of the American West, narrated by Rex Allen and produced by Roy Wieghorst (1978), which spotlights the artist's life and work. Condition report: Unlined; excellent original condition. Frame: 41 x 51 in.