Jerry Ruthven (Texas, b. 1953), Hill Country landscape with wildflowers and fork in the road, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, 1977

sight: 24 x 36 in., frame: 35.5 x 47.5 in.

Provenance: Property from a prominent South Texas estate collection; proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit the Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas

Jerry Ruthven was born and raised in Blue Branch, Texas. Ruthven began to sketch at a very early age. Although he worked briefly as a commercial artist in an attempt to support himself, Ruthven was unable to put aside his dream of painting the Texas landscape. When he was twenty, he decided to try firefighting. During the two days of free time between every twenty-four hours of duty, Ruthven painted and studied the works of contemporary masters. Nine years later, he left the department to devote his full time and energy to painting, and is now best known for Texas hill country landscapes.