Remington Catalogue Raisonné & Examination Process

Remington Examination FAQs

The Remington Examination Session on May 7, 2008 is NOW FULL.
The next Examination will be held Fall 2008.
Please contact Christine Brindza for more information.

In 1996, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center proudly presented Frederic Remington: A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings, Watercolors and Drawings - the most comprehensive, most extensively researched and illustrated publication of Remington's two-dimensional works. Representing more than a decade of research and scholarship by Peter H. Hassrick and Melissa J. Webster, this two-volume book lists all known works of these types by Remington, illustrating 3,000 of his works. In addition to the information found in the two-volume publication, the PC-compatible CD-ROM includes additional information specifically developed for serious researchers and collectors of Remington's work.

In recognition of its valuable scholarship, this monumental publication has received two prestigious awards: The Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Joan Patterson Kerr Award from the Western History Association.

In an effort to advance educational research and offer needed scholarship and connoisseurship services, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center continues to review paintings, watercolors and drawings that might be candidates for inclusion in the Frederic Remington catalogue raisonné.

Works are reviewed by a four-member committee of Remington scholars, each with extensive experience in the museum field, especially relating to Remington as an artist:

Peter H. Hassrick, Director of the Denver Art Museum's Institute of Western American Art, and former director of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center;

Sarah E. Boehme, Director of the Stark Museum of Art.

Laura A. Foster, Curator of the Frederic Remington Art Museum.

Emily Ballew Neff, Curator of American Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The committee meets twice a year at the Historical Center to consider works of art that have been submitted by owners. The committee reviews the actual works of art and studies the works from an art historical perspective. Each work is considered in relation to Remington's known body of works and his methods of drawing and painting.

To consider whether an attribution to Remington is appropriate, the scholars use connoisseurship, the thorough understanding of the visual characteristics of Remington's work including technique, form and style. The committee also applies the knowledge gathered for the catalogue raisonné and, where relevant, information from the artist's written materials such as journals and letters for historical context. If the committee determines that testing of materials would enhance the review, they will recommend scientific testing.

After deliberation, the committee prepares a brief written report stating the opinion they have reached and the factors that led to that conclusion. All committee members must agree on an attribution to the artist. In the event that there is not unanimous agreement, the report will state that no opinion will be offered.

To participate in the Examination Process:

The Owner of the artwork must request the examination, and the Owner must sign the Request for Examination form. The Request for Examination form contains the full terms and conditions of the Examination Process.

Factors in the Examination process include:

The Owner must pay the examination fee.

The Item is photographed by the Historical Center. This photograph becomes the property of the Center's permanent files.

The Owner is required to supply provenance and other information concerning the work of art.

The work of art must be shipped or hand-delivered to the Center at a time designated by the Center, and all costs of transportation and insurance of the Item to and from the examination shall be at the expense of the Owner.

The opinion will represent the professional view of the examiners only and will be neither a guaranty nor a warranty. Opinions are mailed to the Owner and may require eight to twelve weeks for processing, after the examination. Results are not given on site, by phone, or by any other electronic means. As a non-profit educational institution, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center does not provide appraisals or value estimates. Therefore, no estimate or opinion concerning the monetary value of any work of art will be given. This process is provided for research and educational purposes only.

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center reserves the right to publish or otherwise disseminate the opinion, conclusions or the final report.

If scientific testing is recommended, the costs of tests are at the expense of the owner.

More Information

If you are interested in having your work(s) considered, please contact the Whitney Gallery of Western Art to request information.

To learn more about Frederic Remington and his work, we have provided the following selected, annotated bibliography.

Remington Examination Process Frequently Asked Questions