Birger Sandzen

Coronado Heights (Kansas)

1952

“Ghost Town” by Harold Skene (1883–1978) is a compelling vintage oil painting that evokes the quiet drama of Colorado’s mining past. This atmospheric Western landscape depicts a lone prospector and his pack mule standing among the weathered remnants of an abandoned mountain town. Set in late summer or early autumn, the scene is painted in a rich, earthy palette of golden yellows, sage greens, dusty pinks, and soft blues, capturing the stillness and solitude of the high desert West. Painted in oil on board, the work is signed by the artist at the lower right and titled and dated on the verso, underscoring its authenticity and historical value. Skene’s careful attention to structure and perspective reflects his architectural training, while his expressive handling of landscape conveys the emotional weight of a once-thriving community now reclaimed by nature. The painting measures 24 x 30 inches (image size) and is presented in a classic mahogany frame with overall dimensions of 30 x 35.5 x 2.75 inches, offering strong visual presence and immediate display appeal. A graduate of Harvard’s School of Architecture, Harold Skene studied at the Denver Art Academy and the Broadmoor Art Academy, and served as an assistant to noted Western artist Allen Tupper True...

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