Charlie Russell Watercolors Attract Big Bids

Three original Charlie Russell watercolors exceeded expectations and combined to fetch more than $1 million at a live art auction.

The Great Falls Tribune reports that the three works by the famed Western artist sold Saturday at The Russell: the Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum.

"Waiting for her Brave's Return" and "Roping a Steer" each sold for $375,000. A third watercolor, "Indian on Horseback," went for $300,000.

Also, a pen-and-ink work called "A Bunch of Riders" sold for $100,000 — double the pre-auction estimate.

Officials put preliminary gross sales for the auction at $2.75 million.

The auction is part of Western Art Week in Great Falls, held the same month as the birthday of Russell, born March 19, 1864.