Frank McCarthy (1924-2002)
Chance of the Hunt
oil on canvas
30 x 40 inches
40 x 50 inches (frame)
signed lower left: McCarthy CA
verso: titled and signed

Renowned for his dynamic portrayals of Plains Indians in motion, Frank McCarthy, a prominent Western artist and illustrator, spent a significant portion of his career in New York City before settling in Arizona later in life. Born in New York City, McCarthy honed his craft at the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League, focusing on commercial art. Many of McCarthy's notable works were expansive Western paintings, establishing him as a top-selling artist. In 1973, McCarthy held his inaugural exhibition of twenty-three canvases at the Husburg Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, selling out in just twenty minutes. This success prompted him to fully commit to fine art, prompting a relocation from New York to Arizona. Recognizing his contributions, he was elected a member of the Cowboy Artists of America in 1975. Additionally, McCarthy was inducted into the Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1997. He was also a member of the Northwest Rendezvous Group and exhibited at prestigious venues such as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Western Heritage Center, and had a retrospective at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A recurring theme in McCarthy's art was high-speed action, particularly depicting stampeding buffalo. Chance of the Hunt exemplifies the subject, capturing the dynamic action of the scene; McCarthy’s buffalo hunts are some of the artist’s most coveted works.

The painting appears to be in good condition. Under UV examination, there is no evidence of restoration or inpainting.