John Mulvaney Paintings & Artwork for Sale | John Mulvaney Art Value Price Guide

Sep. 26, 2023
John Mulvany (1844-1906), Figures by a lakeside, Oil on canvas, 12" H x 18" W
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
John Mulvany (1844-1906) Figures by a lakeside Oil on canvas Signed lower right: Jno. Mulvany; with the artist's name again on the frame plaque
John Moran Auctioneers
Aug. 11, 2020
"Custer's Last Rally"
Est: $10,000,000 - $25,000,000
Monumental 1881 painting “Custer’s Last Rally” by John Mulvany (1844-1906) Mural-style oil on heavy canvas, . Mural-style oil on heavy canvas, “Custer’s Last Rally” 11ft X 20ft John Mulvany painted from 1879-1881. Signed lower right .This historic monumental work, appraised as high as $23 million, is the first major work of art and the oldest surviving work to depict the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. After completion of the work, it was exhibited throughout the country and Europe including the World’s Fair. Originally owned by food mogul H. J. Heinz. The monumental mural-style painting shows the last battle of the 7th Cavalry led by General Armstrong Custer, and the catastrophic situation where the soldiers were massively outnumbered. Custer is the central figure shown as standing below his favorite horse, in the middle of the barricade formed by the few soldiers who remained for the final hopeless struggle, surrounded by Indians. Kneeling near him on the ground is his wounded friend, Captain Cooke. Artist John Mulvany studied at the National Academy of Design in Manhattan, then worked for the prominent Civil War-era photographers Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner before going to Europe to study painting. He returned in 1871 and traveled westward, gaining a national reputation for his paintings of the American West. The work took two years to complete. Mulvany began painting in 1879 after conducting extensive research, visiting the scene of the massacre and acquainting himself with the habits of the Sioux Indians by visiting their lodges and speaking with captive braves. He also studied the dress and equipment of the U.S. Cavalry and obtained portraits and descriptions of General Custer and his officers. The work has undergone two restorations, with the last appraisal citing it was in extraordinary condition with no major cracks, flaws or outstanding damage. It also states that all restoration has been handled with the best of care and has no significant effect on the overall quality, worth or historical value. In his 2009 appraisal, Paul Rossi, western art expert, historian and former director of the Gilcrease Museum, declared the work to be “an invaluable collector's piece in American Western art and a true national treasure.” He added, “No other event in American history has captured the imagination of people so entirely than Custer’s last fight.” “The painting illustrates well the valor in the face of doom shown by the troopers of the 7th,” said Tom Burks, former curator of the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, TX. “This painting has been famous from the date of its inception to the present. It has been exhibited in some of the most famous galleries and museums, including Fort Worth's Amon Carter Museum.” After its completion, the painting was exhibited throughout the United States, including the World’s Fair, creating a sensation everywhere it appeared. When food mogul, H. J. Heinz, purchased it in 1898, he extended the tour to include Europe. It toured for a total of 17 years from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. Heinz eventually had it hung in his corporate building. Published accounts were laudatory. Even Walt Whitman was enamored with the work. “The many soldiers, their faces and attitudes, the carbines, the broad-brimmed Western hats, the powder-smoke in puffs, the dying horses with their rolling eyes almost human in their agony, the clouds of war-bonneted Sioux in the background, the figures of Custer and Cook, with indeed, the whole scene, inexpressible, dreadful, yet with an attraction and beauty that will remain forever in my memory,” said Whitman, quoted in the Kansas Historical Quarterly in 1946 from an earlier work. At one point in its history, it was housed in a museum built to showcase it after being purchased by Francis Hickman, publisher of the Cotton Trade Journal. The Memphis Pink Palace Museum acquired it in 1967, commissioned to find a larger museum to provide more public access, and subsequently loaned it to the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas for a special exhibit. A final quote from Walt Whitman conveys the sentiment many have felt noted in the many articles and accounts of the people paying to see it. “It is very tonic to me. Then it has an ethic purpose below all, as all great art must have.” Condition excellent- buyers premium has been reduced to 5% on this particular piece. Pre Sale estimate 10Mil-25Mil PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY WIRE WITH IN 24 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSING. CONTACT RANDALL: 210-663-7707 Signed lower right Buyers Premium on this painting has been reduced to 5% with an additional 1% when purchased through Invaluable for a total of 6%"
Randall Hill Auctioneers
Aug. 07, 2020
John Mulvany (1839-1906) Awaiting the Claim Jumpers (Trappers of the Yellowstone)
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
John Mulvany (1839-1906) Awaiting the Claim Jumpers (Trappers of the Yellowstone) signed and dated 'Jno Mulvany/1877' (lower left) oil on canvas 481⁄4 x 361⁄4 in. (122.6 x 92 cm.) Painted in 1877.
Christie's
Nov. 17, 2018
JOHN MULVANY, New York/Missouri, 1844-1906, Portrait of a gentleman., Oil on canvas, 20" x 16". Unframed.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
JOHN MULVANY New York/Missouri, 1844-1906 Portrait of a gentleman. Signed middle left "J ... Mulvany". The consignor purchased this painting as a possible portrait of outlaw Jesse James. Oil on canvas, 20" x 16". Unframed.
Eldred's
Nov. 13, 2016
FRAMED CHROMOLITHOGRAPH OF PRELIMINARY TRIAL OF A HORSE THIEF IN KANSAS CITY, JOHN MULVANY, John Mulvany (American, 1839 – 1906), Publi
Est: $500 - $600
FRAMED CHROMOLITHOGRAPH OF PRELIMINARY TRIAL OF A HORSE THIEF IN KANSAS CITY, JOHN MULVANY, John Mulvany (American, 1839 – 1906), Published by Clay, Cosack & Co. Buffalo, NY, 1877. Chromolithograph in giltwood/gesso frame depicting the trial of a horse thief. John Mulvany was an Irish artist best known as an artist of the American West who painted the first large scale image of General Custer''s defeat by the Oglala Sioux Indians at Little Big Horn in 1876. Mulvany''s painting Custer''s Last Rally, was finished in 1881. Mulvany also recorded the American Civil War on canvas as well as maintaining a career as a portrait painter throughout his life. An example of this chromolithograph, Preliminary Trial of a Horse Thief in Kansas City is in the collection of the National Museum of American History. - Sight: 20 1/2" high x 29 13/16" wide. Frame: 25" high x 32" wide.
Sloans & Kenyon
Nov. 20, 2014
After John Mulvaney (Irish/American, 1844-1906), "Custer's Last Rally", chromolithograph, circa 1882
Est: $5,500 - $6,500
Signed and dated "1881" in the plate lower right. Printed by Chicago Lithograph & Engraving Company circa 1882. Titled "Custer's Last Rally" lower center margin and inscribed "D.C. Fabronius, Del." lower right margin. In original frame with new matting, glazed. ID29519.
Lofty
Sep. 29, 2014
John Mulvany c.1839-1906 WATCHING THE BIRDS, 1877
Est: €1,500 - €2,000
John Mulvany c.1839-1906 WATCHING THE BIRDS, 1877 oil on canvas signed 'Jno Mulvany'; dated and inscribed 'Lousville, Ky.' lower left; relined 17 x 14in. (43.18 x 35.56cm) Exhibited: Louisville, Kentucky Industrial Exposition, 1877 Literature: Niamh O'Sullivan, Irish Times 2 October 2010 In the immediate aftermath of the Famine, at about twelve years of age, Mulvany emigrated to the US where he became a phenomenon, and where he remained actively involved in the Clan na Gael movement. In 1876, General Custer's command was annihilated on the Little Big Horn by Sioux warriors. Mulvany spent two years on Custer's Last Rally (1881), one of the most celebrated paintings of its time. It toured America for seventeen years, drawing huge crowds and making Mulvany a fortune. Mulvany was one of the first artists to go to the frontier where he specialised in painting Western scenes. One of his few Irish subjects was The Battle of Aughrim, which was recently brought back to Ireland and sold by The Gorry Gallery. Works by this once internationally celebrated artist are extremely rare. Niamh O'Sullivan, Professor Emeritus of Visual Culture (National College of Art and Design). September 2014.
Whyte's
Sep. 13, 2014
John Mulvany Chromolithograph Custer's Last Rally.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Mulvany, John (Ireland, 1839-1906). c. 1890. Custer's Last Rally. Chromolithograph by Dominique C. Fabronius. Signed in plate "JHO Mulvany 1881". Gilded wood frame. Sight 34" x 20 1/2". Frame 42 1/4" x 29 1/2". Chromolithograph 34"x 18".Provenance: Collection of Lucius Beebe & Charles Clegg.Condition: Water damage and discoloration to the base paper with writing. The lithograph has a tear on the right corner by Mulvany's signature.
Quinn's Auction Galleries
Feb. 26, 2014
John Mulvany (c. 1839-1906)
Est: $20,000 - $30,000
John Mulvany (c. 1839-1906) >On the Alert <br>signed and dated 'JMulvany 76' (lower right) >oil on canvas <br>24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm.)
Christie's
Mar. 10, 2007
John Mulvany (1844-1906) Historical Print
Est: $250 - $500
Colorful 1980s print of his famous painting "General George A. Custer's Last Rally"; very detailed. 18" x 33" (27" x 39" framed)
Allard Auctions