Mind If I Join You Gentlemen ?

The idea of offering a working drawing that led to this highly recognized painting by Friberg is almost unthinkable!

The painting with the same title was the result of relentless research carried out by the artist so that every detail would ring true: the carved back bars, the antique oil lamp fixtures, unusual walking canes, period clothing, wallpaper, bottles and carved pictures frames. The activity in the room produces an audio component to Friberg's rendering.

This drawing is inscribed to the artist's special friend and loyal dealer, Allan Husberg, who is now deceased.

I find it odd the color reproductions of the painting are offered on several websites for between $1,000 and $5800.  The reproductions are editions of 1000, whereas this drawing is the artist's direct hand without any photomechanical intervention.

Marked Down from $4,500 to $3,500

(1913-2010) Having moved to Arizona with his family at the age of three, Friberg was drawing cartoons by the age of seven. While in high school he was apprenticed to a local sign painter. Friberg attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts after completing high school.

Having created more than 300 paintings depicting Mounties, Friberg was the only American made an honorary member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1940 he moved to New York City, studing as a fellow student with Norman Rockwell under the famed Harvey Dunn at the Grand Central School of Art.

The rest of his career was marked by highly significant commissions in Hollywood working for Cecil B. DeMille, for the Church of Latter-day Saints, for Chevrolet. In 1975 his masterpiece depicting George Washington in The Prayer at Valley Forge during 1777 and 1778 was understaken.  Two years later he was commissioned to create a series of saloon paintings for the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Friberg was chosen to paint The Prince of Wales and his horse Centennial (the great grandson of Man o' War. This last assignment led to an opportunity to paint Queen Elizabeth II, also with Centennial.

Friberg was a Utah artist.  In a statement Utah Governor Gary Herbert said "Utah is proud to call Arnold Friberg its adopted son.  His work is instantly recognizable and has inspired countless people, whether it is through his religious illustrations or his patriotic pieces."