"Judith Sat Straight and Formidable in Her Saddle, Facing Caleb Coldly..." Lot no. 371
By William Henry Dethlef Koerner (1878 - 1938)
Each Canvas 40.00" x 30.00", Framed 40.00" x 30.00" Each
Oil on Canvas
Signed (With Initials WHDK, Lower Right of Right Canvas)
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A pair of illustrations from the novel, "Wild Geese."
The novel Wild Geese was the crowning literary achievement of Canadian author and poet Martha Ostenso (1900-1963). Ostenso set the romance on the tough Canadian frontier, where she had spent some of her early life. When it was written in 1924, the book was initially titled The Passionate Flight. She was living in New York by this time and entered it in a nationwide competition for best first novel sponsored by the magazine The Pictorial Review, the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and the Dodd, Mead Publishing Company. She won first prize over 1,700 entries and $13,500. The book appeared in The Pictorial Review over several installments from August through November, 1925. Koerner was commissioned to illustrate the book for the magazine and the present illustration appeared in the August issue. The plot became the basis of the 1941 Hollywood epic Calling Wild Geese, which starred Henry Fonday and Joan Bennett.
each oil on canvas, two paintings framed together at a 45 degree angle from one another to form a corner (2 paintings)
Explore related art collections: Magazine Stories / Horses / Western / Books / Animals / Seniors / Women as Subjects / Rural / Men
See all original artwork by William Henry Dethlef Koerner
ABOUT THE ARTIST
William Henry Dethlef Koerner came from Clinton, Iowa. His first art job, when he was 15, was with the Chicago Tribune, where he later became assistant art editor. After a brief stint as the art editor of a Midwest magazine and an attempt to freelance in New York, he realized his need for further study.
By this time Howard Pyle was no longer carrying on his school, but Koerner went to Wilmington where Pyle gave him special help. Pyle’s pupils – Dunn, Wyeth, Arthurs, and Schoonover – were in the area and provided helpful criticism.
With his background, Koerner was able to achieve his ambition to become and illustrator. He was identified with The Saturday Evening Post for most of his long career, specializing in western and outdoor subjects. He also illustrated several books, including Covered Wagon, and North of 36, by Emerson Hough.