Lot 311
William Matthews (American, b. 1949) "Repose" lithograph, 1972. Edition number 82 of 110. Hand-signed, dated, titled, and numbered beneath print with artist's blind stamp at lower right. A quiet moment of rest unfolds in "Repose", an early lithograph by William Matthews that captures the reflective stillness of a working cowboy and his horse. Executed in 1972, the composition presents the figure seated on the ground beside the reclining animal, both arranged in a long, horizontal format that emphasizes calm and balance. The cowboy's hat tilts forward as he leans back against the horse, suggesting a pause after labor rather than a staged portrait, a fleeting moment drawn from the rhythms of ranch life. Rendered in soft tonal washes and expressive marks, the lithograph demonstrates Matthews' keen observational approach to the people and traditions of the American West. Size of print: 23.5" W x 8" H (59.7 cm x 20.3 cm); of frame: 32.5" W x 17.5" H (82.6 cm x 44.4 cm)
The sparse setting and restrained palette allow the viewer to focus on gesture and posture - the relaxed bend of the rider's knees, the grounded weight of the horse, and the subtle connection between the two figures. The result is a composition that conveys both companionship and fatigue, evoking the physical realities of life on horseback.
Created early in the artist's career, the print reflects Matthews' longstanding interest in the working cowboy as subject matter, a theme that would later become central to his artistic practice. Even in this early work, the artist's attention to authentic detail and understated narrative is evident, presenting the cowboy not as a romanticized figure but as a participant in the everyday labor of the Western landscape. Printed as a limited edition lithograph, this impression is numbered 82 of 110 and signed and dated by the artist. The work offers an early glimpse into the themes that would later define Matthews' celebrated depictions of ranch life and the enduring culture of the American West.
About the artist: William Matthews (American, b. 1949) is a painter best known for his sensitive watercolor portrayals of working cowboys and the landscapes of the American West. Born in New York City and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Matthews began his professional career in Los Angeles designing album covers for Warner Bros. and Capitol Records. After living in Europe from 1975 to 1980, he settled in Colorado, where he operated a graphic design studio before dedicating himself fully to painting in 1990.
Matthews gained wide recognition for his intimate depictions of cowboys from the great ranches of the American West. These works, observed directly from life, focus on the daily rhythms of ranch work and the quiet dignity of the people who sustain this tradition. His exploration of this subject was documented in the monograph Cowboys & Images: The Watercolors of William Matthews (1994), followed by William Matthews: Working the West (2007), which further examined his ongoing engagement with Western themes.
Beyond the American West, Matthews has produced a wide range of series exploring landscapes, cultures, and traditions around the world, including projects devoted to Yellowstone, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, China, Canyon de Chelly, and the Blue Nile. His work has also appeared in numerous exhibition catalogs addressing subjects such as fly fishing, horse culture, and historic communities.
Matthews has completed several notable commissions, including cover art and illustrations for Close Range by Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Proulx, a series of large scale watercolors titled Colorado Pioneers installed at the Colorado Convention Center, and the 1994 United States Postal Service commemorative postal card Canyon de Chelly from the America the Beautiful series.
His watercolors are held in numerous public and private collections, including the Joslyn Museum, the Gilcrease Museum, the Autry National Center, the Booth Western Art Museum, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Eiteljorg Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Denver Art Museum. Matthews continues to live and work in Denver, Colorado.
Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA Collection
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#201351
- Condition: Mounted behind glass in custom matte and frame with gallery paper and suspension wire on verso for display. Has not been examined outside of glass, but appears to be in excellent overall condition. Hand-signed, dated, titled, and numbered beneath print with artist's blind stamp at lower right.
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