Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
A powerful, atmospheric oil painting depicting a massive industrial explosion at an open-pit iron mine in Hibbing, Minnesota. This work captures the 'industrial sublime,' blending the raw power of human engineering with the rugged, geological drama of the Mesabi Range.
Maker / Origin
Hibbing, Minnesota; Dewey Albinson (1898–1971); Hibbing, Minnesota; Dewey Albinson (1898–1971)
Condition & Value
The painting appears to be in its original period frame and retains excellent color saturation. There is some expected surface dust and minor varnish yellowing consistent with age; a professional cleaning would likely reveal even more vibrant tones.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The market for Dewey Albinson is deeply stratified based on subject matter and compositional complexity. Analysis of recent auction data reveals a distinct two-tier market for his oil paintings. Standard North Shore landscapes and scenic views, such as 'View from Beaver Bay' ($1,025) and 'Italian Mountain Town' ($1,100), reliably trade in the $600 to $1,200 range. However, when Albinson tackles dramatic, structurally complex, or industrial subjects, his prices more than triple. The valuation logic for 'Mine Blast' relies heavily on these upper-tier comparables. 'Tierney Mills' (c. 1930s), a direct industrial subject comparable, achieved $3,300, while his current auction record of $3,800 belongs to 'Spires of God' (1929), a painting noted for its heavy geometric composition and dramatic scale. 'Mine Blast' conceptually marries the industrial weight of 'Tierney Mills' with the dynamic, violent energy seen in works like 'Cock Fight' ($1,300). Furthermore, because it depicts the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine in 1931, it serves as an early, pivotal exploration of the exact theme that led to his most famous Smithsonian piece. Consequently, 'Mine Blast' transcends his standard landscape market and is positioned to challenge or exceed his current auction record, justifying a hammer estimate of $3,000 to $4,500.
▲ Highly desirable 'Industrial Sublime' subject matter depicting the historic Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Mine.
▲ Early 1931 dating, preceding his famous 1934 PWAP commission ('Northern Minnesota Mine') held by the Smithsonian.
▲ Strong evidence of his Parisian Cubist training (via André Lhote) applied to American Regionalist themes.
▲ Top-tier market momentum for his architectural and industrial works, which trade at a 300% premium over his standard landscapes.
▼ Unconfirmed dimensions: Valuations for top-tier Albinson works (like the $3,800 record) are based on large-scale canvases (approx. 30x40 inches); a significantly smaller canvas would reduce value.
▼ Condition of the canvas and paint layer is unknown and must be assessed for craquelure, paint loss, or previous restorations.
Best Venue
Revere Auctions (St. Paul, MN) or Hindman (Chicago) — Regional auction houses with strong Midwestern Modernism/Regionalism collector bases yield the best results for Minnesota artists.
Upside Potential
Institutional bidding from regional museums (e.g., Minnesota Historical Society) seeking culturally significant documentation of the Iron Range could push the hammer price to $5,000+.