Description:

Deborah Butterfield (American, b. 1949). Large life-size found steel and tin sculpture titled "Echo," depicting a horse on its side, 1986.

Provenance: Edward Thorp Gallery, 1989; From the Estate of Gary Fink.

Reference: Michael Brenson, The New York Times, December 12, 1986.

Lot Essay:
Deborah Butterfield is perhaps best known for her large sculptures of horses made from found objects such as metal and wood. She was born on the same date as the 75th Kentucky Derby, and has credited her birthdate as a subject of inspiration for her. Mentored by Manuel Neri, she wanted to work in the female form, but felt Neri dominated that subject. Instead, she chose to work on horses, using them as metaphorical self-portraits. Her sculptures started out depicting the mares as gentle, calm, and at rest. As she progressed in life, however, the sculptures sometimes took on a darker, more sinister tone, reflecting her flood of experiences.

At first, she made her sculptures from sticks and natural materials found on her property in Bozeman, Montana. In 1979 she began using reclaimed and found steel and scrap metal. "Echo" is a prime example of her use of found materials to create her subject. For the past two decades, she has combined her earlier and later materials and has used found pieces of wood and then cast them in bronze. She uses pieces of wood that outline the form and gesture of the horse, seeing inspirations in what others may discard.

"Echo" was described by Michael Brenson of the New York Times: "In one of the strongest works in the show [referencing an exhibition at Edward Thorp Gallery], "Echo," a horse is lying on its side. The head is straining to lift up. The corrugated metal rump looks like a blanket. The corrugated metal tail, squeezed and rumpled like paper, springs out. But the tail also suggests afterbirth. If the horse seems at first to lie wounded like one of Picasso's horse victims, it is also giving life.

Gary C. Fink was a collector with both a lighthearted sense of humor and a serious commitment to art. Through the Museum Louvre It or Leave It, he offered Minnesotans an offbeat, thought-provoking experience; through MIA gifts, he broadened institutional collections; and through his scholarship, he continues to enable the next generation of artists. A Renaissance soul in the heart of Minnesota's art community, Gary C. Fink was more than an astute collector - he was a spirited patron whose unconventional vision left an indelible mark on the creative landscape.

  • Dimensions: Height: 6 ft x width: 8 ft 10 in x depth: 2 ft 4 in.
  • Condition: Please email us at [email protected] for a condition report or additional photos.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Removal
Property purchased from Revere Auctions by a successful bidder will not be released to such bidder until the full payment of the total purchase price (including the buyer's premium and online bidding service fee, and all applicable sales taxes) has been made. In addition to other remedies available to us by law, we reserve the right to impose from the date of sale a late charge of 1.5% per month of the total purchase price if payment is not made in accordance with these conditions. Please note that Revere Auctions reserves the right to refuse to accept payment from a source other than the buyer of record. The purchaser must remove all property from the auction premises at his/her expense the day following the auction. All property must be collected within ten (10) days of the auction. If you fail to retrieve the purchased property within thirty (30) days after the Sale Date (such that the 30-day period is termed the "Retrieval Period") Revere Auctions reserves the right to charge a minimum storage and handling fee of $20 per lot per day. Revere Auctions also reserves the right to send the property to a public warehouse for the account and at the risk and expense of the purchaser, to be released only after payment in full of all removal, storage, handling, insurance, and any other costs incurred, together with payment of all other amounts due to us. It is the purchaser's sole responsibility to arrange to collect or ship the property and to identify and obtain any necessary export, import, firearm, endangered species, or other permit for the lot. Revere Auctions and the consignor make no representations or warranties as to whether any lot is or is not subject to export or import restrictions or embargoes. Purchasers are reminded that Revere Auctions' liability for loss or damage to sold property shall cease no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the auction, and immediately upon removal from Revere Auctions' facility if removal takes place within thirty (30) days after the date of sale.




Shipping
Revere Auctions offers in-house shipping for eligible orders and referrals to third-party shippers for all other orders. Customers with eligible orders will receive an email from ShippingSaint.com within two business days after an auction informing you of eligibility. Please allow 7-10 business days after submitting payment for your order for Revere Auctions to begin packaging your order. Eligible orders will include but are not limited to, unframed artwork, framed artwork, jewelry, coins, and decorative objects. Ineligible orders include but are not limited to, furniture, oversized lots, and any lot that must be shipped by a third party.


As a convenience to the Buyer, Revere Auctions will make a referral for packing and shipping to third-party shipping vendors. This is at the request, expense, and risk of the Buyer, and Revere Auctions assumes no responsibility for the items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in-transit items is the responsibility of the buyer. The buyer must reach out to a third-party shipping vendor to arrange shipping.


"Oversized lots" are objects such as furniture, andirons, floor vases, sculptures, or any other item whose safe packing will exceed the limits of common carriers. The delivery of oversized, large, exceedingly heavy, or high-value objects is not an inexpensive proposition and we urge you to consider this before bidding.


The buyer must fill out the Shipping Release Form in order for their items to be released to a third-party shipper. This is to ensure that the won item(s) are given to the proper shipping company and reach their final destination safely. This form can be found here: revereauctions.com/shipping-release-authorization/


For a list of referrals for third-party shipping vendors, please see our Shipping Information page for more details. revereauctions.com/shipping-information/

September 16, 2025 12:00 PM CDT
St Paul, MN, US

Revere Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $6,999 $200
$7,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $499,999 $10,000
$500,000 $999,999 $25,000
$1,000,000 $9,999,999 $50,000
$10,000,000 + $100,000