Frederic Remington Artwork Value

Q: How do I authenticate a Frederic Remington bronze?

Start by consulting Icons of the West: Frederic Remington's Sculpture by Michael Greenbaum, which documents all 22 sculpture subjects and lists known casts from both the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company and Roman Bronze Works. Lifetime casts (pre-1909) will bear foundry marks from one of these two firms and appear in the Roman Bronze Works ledger books. For paintings and works on paper, reference the Hassrick and Webster Catalogue Raisonne, which catalogues over 3,000 flat works — for general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

At-a-glance: Frederic Remington

America's most iconic artist of the Old West, Remington produced paintings, illustrations, and 22 bronze sculpture subjects that defined how the world pictures cowboys, cavalrymen, and Native Americans. His bronzes remain among the most reproduced American sculptures ever made.

Bio

Name: Frederic Sackrider Remington
Years Active: 1881–1909
Nationality: American

Style

Western realism and Impressionist-influenced nocturnes. Illustrations for Harper's Weekly and Collier's, oil paintings, watercolors, pen-and-ink drawings, and 22 bronze sculpture subjects.

What to look for

Foundry marks (Henry-Bonnard or Roman Bronze Works) on bronzes, F.W. Devoe & Co. canvases, fluid "Frederic Remington" or "F.R." signatures, catalogue raisonné listings for flat works.

What Remington works do people actually own?

Most Remington works in private hands aren't major oil paintings hanging in museums. Like Winslow Homer and Norman Rockwell, Remington's fame grew through published illustrations — so the range of what collectors own is wide. The critical first step is distinguishing a lifetime piece from the massive reproduction market. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction determines whether your piece is worth hundreds or hundreds of thousands.

Collotype and photogravure prints — $20–$500
Photomechanical reproductions of Remington paintings originally published by Collier's, Harper's, and other magazines from the 1890s–1900s. Remington was not a printmaker — these are publisher-made reproductions, not artist-created prints. Vintage collotypes from the early 1900s are collectible as decorative pieces but hold modest value. Later reissues (such as the 1956 Penn Prints editions) are worth even less.
Reproduction bronzes — $100–$2,000
After Remington's copyright expired in the 1960s, unauthorized reproductions of The Bronco Buster and other subjects flooded the market. These are cast from molds taken from existing bronzes (not Remington's originals) and lack foundry marks from Henry-Bonnard or Roman Bronze Works. They are widely available, do not appreciate in value, and are worth a small fraction of lifetime casts.
Pen-and-ink drawings and watercolors — $20,000–$200,000
Remington produced thousands of illustrations for Harper's Weekly, Century Magazine, and Collier's. Original pen-and-ink drawings and watercolors that served as source art for published illustrations appear at auction regularly. Provenance tracing back to the original publisher strengthens value. Works with Western action scenes command premiums over quieter compositions.
Posthumous authorized bronzes (1909–1918) — $25,000–$150,000
After Remington's death in 1909, his widow Eva authorized Roman Bronze Works to continue casting his sculptures until her death in 1918, at which point she directed the foundry to destroy the molds. These estate casts bear legitimate Roman Bronze Works foundry marks and are documented in the ledger books, but they command lower prices than lifetime casts because Remington did not personally supervise the finishing.
Lifetime bronze casts — $75,000–$500,000+
Remington created 22 bronze sculpture subjects with fewer than 800 total authorized lifetime casts. Early works (pre-1900) were sand-cast by Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company; from 1900 onward, Roman Bronze Works used the superior lost-wax process. The Bronco Buster — his first and most famous sculpture — has had over 275 authorized casts made. Lifetime examples of iconic subjects like The Cheyenne, The Mountain Man, and Coming Through the Rye command the highest prices.
Oil paintings — $100,000–$5,000,000+
Major Western action scenes and Remington's later Impressionist-influenced nocturnes are the most sought-after. The Hassrick and Webster catalogue raisonné documents over 3,000 flat works, but scholars estimate that only about 22% of paintings submitted for review proved to be originals — forgery is a significant concern. Fully authenticated oils with strong provenance and exhibition history reach seven figures at major auction houses.

Coming Through the Rye holds the auction record at $11.2 million (Christie's, 2017). Upload your piece for a specific estimate based on current market data.

How to verify Frederic Remington authenticity

Authentication is critical for Remington — scholars consider him one of the most copied American artists, and only about 22% of paintings reviewed for the catalogue raisonné were deemed authentic. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:

For paintings, watercolors, and drawings: Consult the Hassrick and Webster Frederic Remington: A Catalogue Raisonné (1996, updated edition with companion website), which documents over 3,000 flat works with provenance, exhibition, and publication history
For bronzes: Reference Icons of the West: Frederic Remington's Sculpture by Michael Greenbaum (1996), which documents all 22 sculpture subjects, lists known casts, and includes metallography testing to distinguish authorized from spurious castings
Check foundry marks on bronzes: Authentic casts bear marks from Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. (sand-cast, pre-1900) or Roman Bronze Works (lost-wax, 1900–1918) — any other foundry name indicates a reproduction
Signature and materials: Remington signed paintings with a fluid "Frederic Remington" or monogrammed "F.R." and used F.W. Devoe & Co. canvases with patented 1888 stretcher bars — forged signatures tend to appear labored or stiff
Note on the Frederic Remington Art Museum: The Museum in Ogdensburg, New York does not authenticate or appraise artworks, but recommends the Greenbaum and Hassrick references above — for old paintings and bronzes, independent expert review is essential

Upload photos of the front, back, signature, foundry marks, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.

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Frederic Remington artwork FAQs

Start by consulting Icons of the West: Frederic Remington's Sculpture by Michael Greenbaum, which documents all 22 sculpture subjects and lists known casts from both the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company and Roman Bronze Works. Lifetime casts (pre-1909) will bear foundry marks from one of these two firms and appear in the Roman Bronze Works ledger books. For paintings and works on paper, reference the Hassrick and Webster Catalogue Raisonné, which catalogues over 3,000 flat works — for general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.

Lifetime casts were produced under Remington's direct supervision at the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company (before 1900) or Roman Bronze Works (1900–1909), with posthumous authorized casts continuing through Eva Remington's estate until 1918. Reproductions flooded the market after Remington's copyright expired in the 1960s and are worth only a few hundred dollars, while lifetime casts of The Bronco Buster can sell for $100,000–$500,000+. Understanding this distinction is essential before getting a valuation.

Check the base for a foundry mark from Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. or Roman Bronze Works — these are the only two foundries that produced authorized Remington bronzes. Authentic lifetime casts show fine surface detail, a rich dark-brown or green patina, and consistent quality in the lost-wax casting. If your piece lacks a recognized foundry mark or has rough casting seams and thin walls, it is likely a later reproduction — a free appraisal can help you determine what you have.

Coming Through the Rye holds the auction record at $11.2 million (Christie's, 2017), making it among the most valuable American sculptures ever sold. Lifetime bronze casts of iconic subjects like The Bronco Buster and The Cheyenne regularly sell for $100,000–$500,000+, while major oil paintings of Western scenes can reach $1–$5 million at auction. Among American artists of the same era, Remington's market is comparable to Winslow Homer for works on paper but stronger for sculpture.

The right venue depends on value and medium. Collotype prints and minor works on paper under $5,000 can sell through specialist Western art dealers or vetted online platforms. Lifetime bronzes and paintings valued at $10,000–$100,000 suit regional auction houses or specialist Western art sales at major houses like Coeur d'Alene Art Auction. Above $100,000, consign to Sotheby's, Christie's, or Bonhams — see our selling guide for more details on choosing the right channel.

Remington typically signed paintings and drawings with "Frederic Remington" or the monogram "F.R." in various styles throughout his career, often using F.W. Devoe & Co. canvases with patented 1888 stretcher bars. Authentic signatures are fluid and confident, while forged signatures tend to appear labored or stiff — our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature. On bronzes, his name is cast into the base along with the foundry mark and often a copyright date, which should match the known casting records.

How to sell Frederic Remington artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Remington pieces at any value level.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll identify your piece against the Hassrick catalogue raisonné (for flat works) or the Greenbaum sculpture reference, assess condition and authenticity markers, and provide a realistic market value range within 24–48 hours.

2

Verify authenticity if needed

For bronzes, confirm foundry marks match Henry-Bonnard or Roman Bronze Works records. For paintings, cross-reference the catalogue raisonné and gather provenance documentation. Collectors of Remington often also seek work by Edward Hopper and other American masters, so established Western art experts can provide comparative market context.

3

Choose the right channel

Under $10K: Specialist Western art dealers, vetted online platforms, or regional auctions.
$10K–$100K: Coeur d'Alene Art Auction, Heritage Auctions, or specialist Western art sales at major houses.
$100K+: Sotheby's, Christie's, or Bonhams; private sale through established Western art galleries.

4

Prepare documentation

Gather provenance records, purchase receipts, prior exhibition history, and any authentication letters. For bronzes, document the foundry mark, patina condition, and any cast numbers. For paintings, note canvas maker marks and stretcher bar details. Complete documentation accelerates sales and strengthens buyer confidence.

Ready to get a free Remington valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, foundry marks, and any stamps or labels — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.