Grant Speed (American, 1930-2011). "First Feel of the Hackamore" copper sculpture, 1974. Edition 19 of 30. Signature, date, and edition number inscribed at lower left. An impressive limited edition sculpture by cowboy artist Grant Speed, "First Feel of the Hackamore" was published on the cover of "Western Horseman" magazine in February 1977 and was also exhibited at the Tivoli Gallery in Los Altos, California in 1979. Born and raised in Texas, Speed worked on ranches and participated in rodeos. This sculpture presents a method of "breaking full-grown range colts for ranch use". According to Western Horseman, "The bronc was front-footed and thrown in a corral. While he was pinned down, a hackamore with a long lead rope was worked on him. The lead rope was handed to a rider, who fought him to a large log. He was tied to this and left, usually overnight, to learn the initial lesson that the hackamore was boss." Size: 25" L x 10" W x 18.25" H (63.5 cm x 25.4 cm x 46.4 cm); 20" H (50.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Please Note: This sculpture is accompanied by a Tivoli Gallery exhibition poster featuring Grant Speed's "First Feel of the Hackamore" as well as the February 1977 issue of "The Western Horseman" featuring this sculpture on the front cover. The informative description published in the magazine reads, "Grant Speed, who created the bronze on our cover, has been a member of the Cowboy Artists of America since 1966, and in the course of those years has served as a director and as president of the group. He was raised in Texas, worked on ranches, and did some rodeoing. After college graduation, he settled into teaching, and began sculpting. The most recent honor he received was the gold medal for sculpture at the 1976 CAA Exhibition. The bronze on the cover shows part of an old method of breaking full-grown range colts for ranch use. The bronc was front-footed and thrown in a corral. While he was pinned down, a hackamore with a long lead rope was worked on him. The lead rope was handed to a rider, who fought him to a large log. He was tied to this and left, usually overnight, to learn the initial lesson that the hackamore was boss. Pleasant Grove, Utah, is home to Grant, his wife, and their two children."
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection
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#182486
Condition
Intact and excellent with a rich patina. Mounted on a wood base that is furnished with a brass plaque inscribed with the title of this piece.