How much is a Carl Rungius painting worth?

There is no single figure. Rungius worked at many sizes, from field sketches to exhibition canvases, and on subjects from Wyoming pronghorn to Canadian Rockies bighorn sheep, so values vary a great deal. The gallery can give an informed opinion after seeing photographs and measurements.

Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Rungius?

Yes. The appraisal is free and confidential. Tell us whether you are thinking of selling or need a formal appraisal for insurance, an estate or a donation.

Is a small Rungius oil sketch of interest?

Yes. Small oils on board, such as the gallery's recorded sale At the Pond, are an important part of his work. Send photos and the measurements.

How can I tell whether it is an original?

Rungius's paintings were widely reproduced as prints and illustrations. A raking-light photograph of the surface usually shows brushwork; we can help you judge.

Valuation guide

Carl Rungius painting value: what matters

Rungius painted for more than sixty years, from Berlin and New York to Wyoming, the Yukon and the Canadian Rockies, so the value of a given work depends on many things. Below are the points a specialist considers. We don't publish prices: without seeing the painting, any number would be a guess.

Subject

Rungius is best known for North American big game shown in its own country: moose, bighorn and Dall sheep, mountain goats, elk, caribou, deer, pronghorn and grizzly bears, set in mountain, forest and lake landscapes. Many of his best-known pictures were painted around Banff and elsewhere in the Canadian Rockies; others come from Wyoming, New Brunswick and the Yukon. He also painted pure landscapes. The gallery's recorded sale is At the Pond, a bull moose of 1916.

Size and support

Rungius worked at every scale, from small oil sketches on board made in the field or in his Banff studio to large exhibition canvases, and he also made charcoal drawings, etchings and illustrations. Size, support and finish are judged together. Measure the image itself, not the frame.

Period

An inscription, date, label or place name helps fix when a work was made: student work in Berlin before 1894; New York, Wyoming and New Brunswick from the mid-1890s, when he also worked as an illustrator; the Yukon in 1904; and the Canadian Rockies from 1910, with summers at his Banff studio from 1921 until the end of his life. His handling became broader and looser in later decades.

Condition

For oils, check for flaking, tears, relining, overpaint and darkened or yellowed varnish; for drawings and prints, fading, foxing, mat burn and water stains. Leave any treatment to a conservator, after advice.

Labels and provenance

Exhibition labels, such as those of the National Academy of Design or the Salmagundi Club, gallery labels, inscriptions on the stretcher or backing and family records can all strengthen a Rungius's history. Many of his paintings were bought by hunters, outfitters and conservationists, so a family connection with Banff, Wyoming or a sportsmen's club is worth mentioning. Photograph the whole back.

Authenticity

Reproductions and misattributed wildlife paintings do circulate. Signature, technique, materials and documented history are all considered. The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming, began a Carl Rungius catalogue raisonné in 2020, and a dealer experienced with Western and wildlife painting can quickly say whether a picture merits closer study.

Appraisal and next steps

Steven Stern Fine Arts assesses each painting individually on authorship, period, subject, condition, provenance, exhibition history, literature and importance, and the appraisal is free. To start, send photos through the seller inquiry or call (310) 570-5679. You can also see the Rungius painting the gallery has sold.

Questions owners ask

How much is a Carl Rungius painting worth?: There is no single figure. Rungius worked at many sizes, from field sketches to exhibition canvases, and on subjects from Wyoming pronghorn to Canadian Rockies bighorn sheep, so values vary a great deal. The gallery can give an informed opinion after seeing photographs and measurements.
Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Rungius?: Yes. The appraisal is free and confidential. Tell us whether you are thinking of selling or need a formal appraisal for insurance, an estate or a donation.
Is a small Rungius oil sketch of interest?: Yes. Small oils on board, such as the gallery's recorded sale At the Pond, are an important part of his work. Send photos and the measurements.
How can I tell whether it is an original?: Rungius's paintings were widely reproduced as prints and illustrations. A raking-light photograph of the surface usually shows brushwork; we can help you judge.