Russell Cowles Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Russell Cowles Art Value Price Guide

Apr. 12, 2025
RUSSELL COWLES (1887 - 1979). SEATED NUDE
Est: $400 - $600
Oil. 14 x 10 in. Framed, 17 x 13 inches.
Casco Bay Auctions
Jan. 20, 2025
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979), “Frozen Falls”, oil on canvas, abstracted composition featuring craggy grey and brown rocks interspersed by white and light teal streams of water, jagged edges to all imply frozen...
Est: $100 - $200
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979), "Frozen Falls", oil on canvas, abstracted composition featuring craggy grey and brown rocks interspersed by white and light teal streams of water, jagged edges to all imply frozen nature, signed lower right, gallery label verso, wear consistent with age, including frame with minor damages, sold as is, ss: 32" h. x 40" h. [Deaccessioned to benefit the Slater Memorial Museum's acquisition fund]
Winter Associates, Inc.
Jul. 09, 2024
Russell Cowles (American 1887–1979), Polly Cove, Watercolor on Paper, Signed l.r. and signed and titled on verso, Frame: 26 1/2 x 32 1/2 in. (67.3 x 82.6 cm.)
Est: $500 - $700
Russell Cowles (American 1887–1979), Polly Cove, Watercolor on Paper, Signed l.r. and signed and titled on verso, Provenance Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, LA
Weschler's
Jun. 07, 2024
RUSSEL COWLES (1887-1979) CONTE CRAYON ON PAPER
Est: $200 - $250
Russell Cowles (1887-1979) Signed Cowles lower left. Image measures 20.5 x 8 with a framed size of 31 x 24.5 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house.
Dirk Soulis Auctions
Jan. 27, 2023
Russell Cowles, Drawing, "Fish"
Est: $200 - $400
(American, 1887-1979) charcoal and/or graphite on paper, signed "Cowles" l.l.c., verso bears label from Kraushaar Galleries Overall: 17-1/8"h x 14-7/8"w Sight: 9-5/8"h x 7-7/8"w Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York
Nye & Company
Oct. 19, 2022
Russell Cowles, Drawing, "Fish"
Est: $400 - $600
(American, 1887-1979) charcoal and/or graphite on paper, signed "Cowles" l.l.c., verso bears label from Kraushaar Galleries Overall: 17-1/8"h x 14-7/8"w Sight: 9-5/8"h x 7-7/8"w Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York
Nye & Company
Oct. 19, 2022
Russell Cowles, Drawing, "Fireflies"
Est: $600 - $800
(American, 1887-1979) charcoal and/or graphite on paper, signed "Cowles" l.l.c., verso bears label from Kraushaar Galleries Overall: 17-1/8"h x 14-7/8"w Sight: 9-5/8"h x 7-7/8"w Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York
Nye & Company
Feb. 19, 2022
Aspen Forest Road by Russell Cowles (1887-1979)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Aspen Forest Road by Russell Cowles (1887-1979), watercolor on paper, 27 x 20 (sight)
Jackson Hole Art Auction
Dec. 04, 2021
Russell COWLES: "Early Morning..." - Drawing
Est: $125 - $175
Charcoal study for "Early Morning, Nova Scotia", signed lower right "Cowles" (American, 1887-1979). [Sheet: 18 1/2" H x 23" W; Mat: 22" H x 28" W]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Sep. 11, 2021
Russell COWLES: "Early Morning..." - Drawing
Est: $200 - $300
Charcoal study for "Early Morning, Nova Scotia", signed lower right "Cowles" (American, 1887-1979). [Sheet: 18 1/2" H x 23" W; Mat: 22" H x 28" W]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Sep. 11, 2021
Attrib. to Russell COWLES: "Owl" - Oil Painting
Est: $400 - $600
Oil on cardboard painting of an owl, not signed; attributed to Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979). [Art: 20 1/4" H x 28 1/2" W; Frame: 27" H x 34 3/4" W].]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Aug. 14, 2021
Attrib. to Russell COWLES: "Owl" - Oil Painting
Est: $500 - $700
Oil on cardboard painting of an owl, not signed; attributed to Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979). [Art: 20 1/4" H x 28 1/2" W; Frame: 27" H x 34 3/4" W].]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Aug. 14, 2021
Russell COWLES: "Cycle" - Oil Painting
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Oil on canvas painting of a dead bird, signed lower right "Cowles" (American, 1887-1979). [Art: 20" H x 24" W; Frame: 27 1/2" H x 31 1/2" W].]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Aug. 14, 2021
Russell COWLES: "Dunes & Pines" - Oil Painting
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Oil on masonite painting of boys swimming in a lake by pines and dunes, signed lower right "Cowles" (American, 1887-1979). [Art: 18" H x 24" W; Frame: 23 3/4" H x 30 1/4" W].]. In good condition; frame with wear.
Roland Auctions NY
Aug. 14, 2021
Russell COWLES: "Ballerina" - Drawing
Est: $400 - $600
Charcoal and white chalk drawing of a ballerina, signed lower right "Cowles" (American, 1887-1979). [Sheet: 24" H x 19" W; Mat: 28" H x 22" W]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Aug. 14, 2021
Russell COWLES: "Early Morning..." - Drawing
Est: $400 - $600
Charcoal study for "Early Morning, Nova Scotia", signed lower right "Cowles" (American, 1887-1979). [Sheet: 18 1/2" H x 23" W; Mat: 22" H x 28" W]. In good condition.
Roland Auctions NY
Jul. 15, 2021
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Still Life with Pears and Flowers in a Vase
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Still Life with Pears and Flowers in a Vase Signed Cowles (lr) Oil on canvas 19 1/2 x 26 3/4 inches (49.3 x 67.9 cm) Provenance: Doyle, New York, Sep. 10, 2013, lot 32 C An Apartment Decorated by Miles Redd
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Feb. 10, 2021
Russell Cowles Still Life Oil on Canvas
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979). Oil on canvas painting depicting a still life scene of table with a red cloth full of household objects such as apples, dice, a pineapple, plants, books, and an ashtray. Seen in the background are shelving units full of stretched canvases. Signed along the lower right. Label from the Pomona Fair in 1964 affixed to verso, along the stretcher bar. Unframed; height: 39 1/2 in x width: 27 1/4 in. Framed; height: 47 in x width: 35 in.
Revere Auctions
Oct. 22, 2020
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Old World
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Old World Signed COWLES (lr) Oil on canvas 43 1/2 x 30 1/2 inches (110.5 x 77.5 cm) Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, Los Angeles Exhibited: Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, One Hundred and Fortieth Annual Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture, Jan. 21 - Feb. 25, 1945, no. 108 C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jun. 13, 2019
RUSSELL COWLES Three drawings.
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
RUSSELL COWLES Three drawings. Early Morning, Nova Scotia, charcoal on tracing paper. Signed in charcoal, lower right recto * Moonlight #2, color pastels on grayish wove paper. Signed in pastel, lower right recto * Dancer Trying on Her Shoe, Front View, black and white pastels on dark gray wove paper. Signed in white pastel, lower right recto. Various sizes and conditions. Ex-collection private collection, New Jersey.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 13, 2019
RUSSELL COWLES Landscape with Swimmers.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
RUSSELL COWLES Landscape with Swimmers. Oil on board. 455x500 mm; 17 7/8x19 1/2 inches. Signed in oil, lower right recto. Ex-collection private collection, New Jersey.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 13, 2019
RUSSELL COWLES Two owl paintings.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
RUSSELL COWLES Two owl paintings. Cycle, oil on canvas. 505x605 mm; 20x24 inches. Signed in oil, lower right recto * Barn Owl, oil on board. 503x723 mm; 19 3/4x28 3/8 inches. Ex-collection private collection, New Jersey.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 13, 2019
RUSSELL COWLES Western Landscape with Horses.
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
RUSSELL COWLES Western Landscape with Horses. Charcoal on tracing paper. 517x800 mm; 20 1/2x31 1/2 inches. Signed and annotated in pencil, lower margin. Ex-collection private collection, New Jersey. Cowles (1887-1979) was born in Iowa to a creative family; his father was the owner of a newspaper, and later became publisher of the "Des Moines Register," and his mother had studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, and she encouraged his artistic pursuits from a young age. Cowles studied art at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, The Art Students League in New York, and the American Academy in Rome, Italy. He was influenced by Post-Impressionists such as Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin, though he filtered these influences through the lenses of Western and American Realism and Regionalism. After studying Chinese traditional painting and experimenting with semi-Abstract compositions, in the 1930s he began living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, spending time with other American artists such as John Marin (see lot 119), Bror J. O. Nordfeldt (see lot 194) and Marsden Hartley (see lot 127). He approached his landscape and figure subjects "sensitively — to feel what nature has to say." His delicacy of form is exhibited in the musculature of the horses in the foreground while the idyllic landscape speaks to the artist's background in American Modernism and Realism.
Swann Auction Galleries
Apr. 28, 2019
Russell Cowles (1887 - 1979)
Est: $75 - $150
Russell Cowles (1887 - 1979) Watercolor/Goauche. Signed upper left. While living in Sante Fe, New Mexico during the early 1930s, Cowles associated with artists such as John Marin, Marsden Hartley and Andrew Dasberg, each early American Abstract Expressionists drawn to the area and Taos. This period marks a time when American abstract expressionist artists were gaining world-wide notoriety and laying the groundwork for the modern art movement of the mid twentieth century. Sight Size: 7 x 10 in. Overall Size: 12 x 15 in. This item is framed behind glass.
Helmuth Stone
Jan. 25, 2019
Russell Cowles (1887-1979): Indian Summer
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Oil on canvas, signed 'Cowles' lower right, with label from Kraushaar Galleries, NY.28 x 36 in., 36 x 44 in. (frame).
STAIR
Jul. 15, 2018
Watercolor, Russell Cowles
Est: $400 - $600
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979), "White Turkeys," circa 1937, watercolor, signed lower center, signed and titled by artist verso, Dalzell Hartfield Galleries (Los Angeles/New York) label affixed verso, San Francisco Museum of Art affixed label verso, sight: 13.75"h x 19"w, overall (framed): 24.25"h x 31.25"w. Exhibition history: San Francisco Museum of Art, Cowles, 6/28/37.
Clars Auctions
Jan. 07, 2018
Russell Cowles (1887 - 1979)
Est: $300 - $600
Russell Cowles (1887 - 1979) Watercolor/Goauche. Signed upper left. Sight Size: 7 x 10 in. Overall Size: 12 x 15 in. This item is framed behind glass.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Oct. 07, 2017
Russell Cowles (1887 - 1979)
Est: $400 - $800
Russell Cowles (1887 - 1979) Watercolor/Goauche. Signed upper left. Sight Size: 7 x 10 in. Overall Size: 12 x 15 in.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Mar. 21, 2017
Russell Cowles (1887-1979 New York, NY)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
''Autumn Clearing'', forest interior, signed lower right: Cowles, titled on the stretcher, oil on canvas, 40'' H x 36'' W, est: $3000/5000.
John Moran Auctioneers
Nov. 05, 2014
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Nova Scotia Morning, 1939
Est: $18,000 - $22,000
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Nova Scotia Morning, 1939 Signed Russell Cowles (ll); inscribed as titled, inscribed Russell Cowles / c/o Kraushaar...y 32 E. 57th St. N.Y.C. on the stretcher Oil on canvas 40 x 50 inches Provenance: Kraushaar Gallery, New York, no. K.5290 The estate of Ruth and Dalzell Hatfield, Los Angeles, CA Exhibited: San Francisco, CA, San Francisco Bay Exposition, Golden Gate International Exhibition: Contemporary Art,, Feb. 18-Oct. 29, 1939 Los Angeles, CA, Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, Russell Cowles, 1946 Literature: Golden Gate International Exposition: Contemporary Art Official Catalog, San Francisco: San Francisco Bay Exposition Company, 1939. p 36, no. 87 Bear, Donald. Russell Cowles, Los Angeles: Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, 1946. n.p. Life, "Russell Cowles," Oct. 1948, pp. 74-78, illus. p. 77 A copy of the October 1948 issue of Life accompanies this lot. C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Oct. 13, 2013
Russell Cowles, Nova Scotia Morning
Est: $18,000 - $25,000
Nova Scotia Morning, . Oil on canvas
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Oct. 13, 2013
Russell Cowles, Canoncito
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Canoncito, . Oil on canvas
Los Angeles Modern Auctions
Sep. 10, 2013
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Still Life with Pears and Flowers in a Vase
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Still Life with Pears and Flowers in a Vase Signed Cowles (lr) Oil on canvas 19 1/2 x 26 3/4 inches C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jul. 28, 2013
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979)
Est: $500 - $700
White Turkeys signed 'Russell Cowles' (lower left) and signed and titled 'White Turkeys - / by Russell Cowles' (on the backing board) watercolor on paper 15 1/4 x 22 3/4in
Bonhams
Jul. 18, 2013
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Still Life of Pine Branches and Fruit
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Still Life of Pine Branches and Fruit Signed Cowles (lr); inscribed Cowles in pencil on the stretcher Oil on canvas 14 x 24 inches Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
May. 19, 2013
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979) White Turkeys
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979) White Turkeys 15 1/4 x 22 3/4in
Bonhams
Apr. 07, 2013
RUSSELL COWLES (American 20th C) Nude Oil Painting
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
RUSSELL COWLES (American 20th C). "Dancer With Mask". Oil on canvas mounted on artist board. Signed Cowles lower left. Good condition, no damage or repairs, two small abrasions background upper left. Painting 20" x 16". Frame 27" x 23". From AskArt: "Russell Cowles was born in 1887 in Algona, Iowa. He took an interest in painting from a very young age and used to watch his mother paint. In 1909, Cowles graduated from Dartmouth College and left for Paris, where he shared the experience of most artists, and remained there until he ran out of money. He came back to the US to New York and was working at the Art Student's League and the National Academy of Design. He worked with Douglas Volk and Barry Faulkner, assisting both men in mural painting. In 1915, he won in open competition the Prix de Rome. In 1917, Cowles' studies at the Academy were interrupted by the US's entry into war, and Cowles had a special assignment in the Intelligence Department of the US Navy in Italy. He finished his painting studies through a fellowship at the American Academy of Rome and proceeded to travel Europe. Due to his disciplined, academic training in Italy, Cowles became aware of both the abstract and practical value of formal study. In the 1920s, Cowles went back to Paris to work for a while. He then decided to make a general study tour and work-journey to the Orient, which led to prolonged stays in Java and Bali, China, and Egypt. He returned to America in 1928. During his absence, in 1925, he had been awarded the Norman Waite Harris Medal and Prize at the Art Institute of Chicago. Once back in the US, the 1930s proved to be a productive period for Cowles. He lived in Santa Fe and became affiliated with the New Mexican group of painters. He produced beautiful oil landscapes of the Southwest. Cowles attitude toward painting is that of the artist who has full command of his technical facility along with conceptual control of his subject. Much of the deeply hidden emotional content of Cowles' paintings arises from his exquisite adjustment between these two factors. In addition to landscapes, Cowles painted nudes, animals, flower compositions, and studies in abstraction. Cowles died in 1979 in New York City. His work can be found in numerous private and public collections including the Denver Art Museum, LACMA, PAFA and murals on the Register and Tribune building in Des Moines, Iowa."
Myers Fine Art
Feb. 27, 2013
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Patch of Sky, 1956
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Patch of Sky, 1956 Signed Cowles (ll); inscribed as titled on stretcher and numbered 625 RC on overlap Oil on canvas 32 x 40 inches Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jan. 13, 2013
Watercolor, Russel Cowles, "Rabbit Hunter"
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Framed watercolor on paper, "Rabbit Hunter," by Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979), signed lower right, sight: 20"h x 28"w, overall: 24"h x 32"w. Provenance: San Francisco Museum of Art exhibition label verso. From the one man exhibition of Russel Cowles works, 1937. Purchased by current owner from sister of the artist. Accompanied by the book "Russell Cowles," 1946, by Donald Bear, signed by the artist and from an edition for 1000
Clars Auctions
May. 09, 2012
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Patch of Sky, 1956
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Russell Cowles American, 1887-1979 Patch of Sky, 1956 Signed Cowles (ll); inscribed as titled on stretcher and numbered 625 RC on overlap Oil on canvas 32 x 40 inches (81.28 x 101.6 cm) Provenance: Kraushaar Galleries, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
May. 01, 2012
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Valley of the Rio Grande signed 'Cowles' (lower right) and signed, titled and numbered '#298 The Valley of the Rio Grande by Russell Cowles' (on the stretcher bar) oil on canvas 24 x 30in overall: 32 x 38in
Bonhams
Jul. 27, 2011
Attributed to Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979) Banana Girl. Signed "Russell Cowles" l.r. Oil on canvas, 29 x 23 in., framed. Condit
Est: $300 - $500
Attributed to Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979) Banana Girl. Signed "Russell Cowles" l.r. Oil on canvas, 29 x 23 in., framed. Condition: Craquelure, paint loss, stretcher bar marks, surface grime.
Skinner
Apr. 07, 2010
Russell Cowles
Est: $600 - $800
THIS LOT IS SOLD WITH NO RESERVE Blue Tailed Rooster Signed "Cowles" lower left; also signed, titled, numbered and initialed "Russell Cowles Blue Tailed Rooster #632 RC" on the overlap.
Phillips
Jun. 24, 2008
Russell Cowles (1887-1979 New York, NY) signed
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Russell Cowles (1887-1979 New York, NY) signed lower right: Cowles, signed again, titled and numbered on the canvas edge: #652, oil on canvas, 40'' x 36'', 40 H x 36 W
John Moran Auctioneers
Aug. 03, 2007
Russell Cowles
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
Russell Cowles American 1887 - 1979 Seated Nude Signed Russell Cowles l.c. Oil on canvas 36 x 28 in.
Barridoff Auctions
Jun. 19, 2007
Russell Cowles (1887-1979)
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
"After the Rain", signed lower right: Cowles, signed again, titled and numbered verso: #290, oil on wood panel, 18 H x 24 W, est:$2000/3000. Note: Accompanied by the book: Bear, Donald. ''Russell Cowles''. Los Angeles: Dalzell Hatfield, 1946. Provenance: Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, Los Angeles, CA (see verso label)
John Moran Auctioneers
Apr. 15, 2007
Russell Cowles (American, 1887-1979)
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
The Gold Screen signed 'Russell Cowles' (lower left) watercolor on paper 13 1/2 x 19in
Bonhams
Nov. 29, 2006
Russell Cowles 1887-1979 Plums
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Russell Cowles 1887-1979 Plums Signed Cowles (lr); inscribed as titled and by/Russell Cowles on the reverse Oil on canvasboard 12 x 16 inches Provenance: Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, Los Angeles
Doyle New York