William J. Koelpin Greater Prairie Chickens

William J. Koelpin Sr. (1938-1996) Wauwatosa, WI, 1979 13 by 29 1/2 by 15 1/2 in.

William Koelpin was an avid hunter and fisherman from Wisconsin. He went on to become a celebrated sporting artist who excelled in a number of mediums, including bronze, paint, and wood. Throughout his career, he displayed his passion for the outdoors through his accurate and detailed works. His first sold-out exhibit was at the Midwest Decoy Collectors' annual show in the mid-1970s.

This pinnacle work stands as one of the grandest Koelpin carvings ever to come to market. The carving was featured in both Anne Small's book, “Masters of Decorative Bird Carving,” and a 1980 Smithsonian Exhibition on bird art. It has since remained in a private collection, now being offered at auction for the first time. Original paint with minimal wear, including a broken flower and small crack to left foot of one bird.

Provenance: Private Collection, Kansas

Literature: Literature: Anne Small, “Masters of Decorative Bird Carving,” Tulsa, OK, 1981, pp. 93 and 95, exact carving discussed and illustrated in full-page feature. Exhibited: Washington, D.C., "Exhibition of Art Depicting Birds," National Collection of Fine Arts in the Smithsonian Institution, 1980.

Provenance

Private Collection, Kansas