Buck McCain “Prayer to the Healing Spirit” Bronze Sculpture, 1988 

A 1988 bronze sculpture titled Prayer to the Healing Spirit by acclaimed Western artist Buck McCain. This powerful piece depicts a Native American rider on horseback lifting a buffalo skull skyward in a moment of spiritual reverence. Rich in texture and fine anatomical detail, McCain captures both the strength and solemnity of the scene. Signed in the casting “McCain” and dated ©1988 and is mounted on a polished wooden base.

Buck McCain’s Western bronzes are highly regarded and sought after by collectors. 

Condition:
Good condition, no damage. Comes exactly as shown in the photos.

Dimensions:

• Sculpture (alone): 16 3/4" H x 10" W x 4" D
• Wood base: 1" H x 8" W x 6 1/2" D
• Weight: 22 lbs 10 oz

(Soup can shown in photo for scale.)

Artist Biography: Buck McCain (b. 1943)

Buck McCain, born in 1943 in Southern California, was raised as a fifth-generation cattle rancher near the Mexican border. He was home‑schooled by his mother and learned Spanish and local Native American languages from nearby children. At age 20, he took over the family ranch after his father’s death.

Although initially on a pre‑med track in college, McCain discovered his passion for art after enrolling in humanities and studio courses. He sold his first painting—two boats in San Diego harbor—for $35 before eventually relocating to Los Angeles, where he sold decorative art through retail channels and developed his skills further.

In the late 1960s, McCain spent a year studying art independently in Europe, though he remained deeply connected to Western themes. Returning to the U.S., he settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico and, in 1976, began exploring sculpture after encouragement from Arizona sculptor Ernie Berke. McCain transitioned his skills from canvas to bronze, quickly gaining recognition for his dynamic Western figurative works.

His dual fluency in painting and sculpture reflects an appreciation for classical European forms as well as the vivid drama of the American West. Influenced early in his career by Rembrandt and the French Impressionists, McCain has carved out a deeply personal style, especially in monumental bronzes that powerfully capture form, motion, and emotion.

McCain’s monumental works have been commissioned by public and corporate clients, including Soldado de Cuera for Tucson, Arizona, and numerous pieces for museums, banks, and western art institutions. Among his accolades, he was named Artist of the Year by Friends of Western Art and has been featured in publications like Southwest Art, Sculpture Review, and Western Horseman.

Today he resides in southern Arizona, continuing to create both sculptural and painted works deeply informed by his ranching heritage and Western landscapes.