Howard Terpning (b. 1927)
Trail in the Bitterroots, 1985
oil on canvas
40 x 48 inches
52 x 60 inches (frame)
signed lower right: Terpning 1985 CA

Howard Terpning is a classically trained illustrator and painter and is universally considered the most important American Western artist living today. His representational paintings of the American West and the Plains Indians are not realism in minute detail for its own sake, without regard to the context of light and the subject's character. His palette is typically restrained to ensure that narrative is the first impression imparted upon the viewer.

“This scene shows part of the old Lolo Trail used by the Nez Perce Indians when they left their home country in Idaho in 1877 and crossed over the Bitterroot range into the Bitterroot valley heading East in their attempt to reach Canada. The trail was extremely rough and dangerous and yet hundreds of people managed to cross the mountains, including old people and children, with all their horses and goods. It was an amazing accomplishment. I could paint this portion of the trail with some authority since I spent two days riding the trail on horseback in the summer of 1985. It was this adventure that inspired me to do the painting.” -Howard Terpning

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