This watercolor would, for several reasons, appear to be the preliminary, compositional study for his Walters commission titled Wind River Chain (CR# 228). First, the large tree in the center of the picture appears in both works, and second, the white dots on the meadow across the river (representing the American Fur Company wagons headed for the rendezvous) are exclusive to these watercolors. Neither of these elements is found in the subsequent, later oil versions of the scene (e.g., CR# 238A).
The artist; by descent to Louisa Whyte Norton; [Old Print Shop, New York, NY, 1947]; Everett D. Graff, Winnetka, IL; Robert C. Graff; present owner by gift
