Western Art was a creative American form starting in the 1880s. It followed the course of Western expansion promoted by the U.S. government.
People in the Eastern states were excited by happenings in this new territory. They read news stories and serial novels in their newspapers. They purchased Dime Novels. These described exploits of daring cowboys, traders and explorers in the Wild West! They attended some traveling Wild West Shows, like the production of the famed Buffalo Bill Cody. What more could add to their vicarious experiences? Western Art!
Western art provided superior visualization of these unique landscapes. People got a good look at the vistas, the people and the activities of these distant adventures.
Even today, many people in the U.S. - even worldwide - love and collect Western art. In our family home, we have some Western themed artwork on our walls. Our family members also love this style of art. Especially those who live out West.
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Tombstone Arizona supports its own style of Western Artwork. On Allen Street, near the corner of 4th Street is the Tombstone Art Gallery. It features artists and crafts persons from the local area.
During the holiday season the Tombstone Art Gallery has many wonderful and unique items that can be used for gift-giving. Even year-round you'll find many stand-out items you'd love for your home.
Every February the Tombstone Art Gallery sponsors a month long event. Get all the details on our Tombstone Event Page>
We update the details for their Tombstone Quilt Show when it is near.
Many artists have painted, drew, and sculpted works reflecting Western culture. Two old west artists were the most prolific, probably the most talented and the most famous. They were Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell.
Born in 1861 in Canton N.Y., he was an only child. His father was in the Civil War, rising to a Colonel's rank.2 He hoped Frederic would attend West Point. But all during his youth, Frederic wasn't a good student. Instead he showed early artistic talent. His top subjects were cowboys, horses and soldiers. He was athletic, though: involved in swimming, horse-back riding, hunting, camping.3
He thought he'd be a journalist and involve some art work. He attended Yale art school,2 but wasn't serious. He was distracted by their sporting programs. He continued drawing on his own time - his own subjects, which differed from his classroom's expectations.3
Frederic left school when his father contracted tuberculosis. After his father died, he worked miscellaneous odd jobs. In 1881 he took a trip to Montana to see what he could do. Maybe working in mining or with cattle. He went on some real Western style adventures. He was enthralled actually seeing things he'd heard about all his life.4 From that trip's experiences, he published his first drawing in Harper's Weekly.3
He then tried ranching in Kansas. It didn't suit him. Frederic became involved in an unsuccessful business venture in Kansas City. Then he became half-owner of a saloon in town. A year later he traveled home, back East, where he married his first sweetheart, Eva Caten. Then together they went West to Kansas City, and settled down.3
All the while he was sketching the Western life surrounding him. Cowboys, horses, saloon patrons, etc. But his wife was unhappy with this life. She left, returning to her home in the East.
The saloon wasn't bringing in much income. So Frederic began painting more seriously now. His paintings started to sell in his area of Kansas.
Then he decided to return to his hometown. Frederic and his wife reconciled.3 He signed up for courses at The Art Student's League in New York.2 That was much more to his style, I think, from reading of his life. They aren't as strictly structured in their required coursework. I know a bit about the school, since as a young woman I took an art class there myself!
He promoted his life in the West with gusto and exaggeration. Harper's Weekly and Collier's liked this "authenticity" and gave his work attention.3
Harper's in particular boosted his career, bringing his work to the attention of "high society" and in celebrity circles. In the 1890s he also began getting into sculpture. In 1900 he was also writing.3
He stayed living in New York until late in life5, when he moved to Connecticut. He battled weight problems all the while. In December 1909 he had an attack of appendicitis, which led to peritonitis. Emergency surgery couldn't save him, and he died on the 26th at only 48 years of age.5
Charles Marion Russell was born in St. Louis Missouri on March 19, 1864.2 During boyhood he was exposed to explorers and adventurers heading West. It sparked his imagination. He read the stories in papers and novels. He learned to ride horses from an army colonel. All the while he drew pictures of wild west scenes and made small clay sculptures of Western figures.6
At age 16 he quit school and moved to Montana to work on a sheep ranch.6 It didn't work out, s he went to work for another rancher. That man, Jake Hoover, had a spread in Judith Basin, Montana. He was experienced in hunting and trapping, and mentored Charles in cowboy ranching. They became friends for life.7
He spent about a year living with a tribe of the Blackfeet Nation.7 He worked for other Montana ranches. Russell documented his Western experiences through his art.6
Charles met Nancy, 14 years his junior, whom he married in 1896. She was instrumental in getting his work into the limelight. In this way he became famous, making artwork his living.7
People also knew him as Charlie Russell and Kid Russell.7 They also called him the Cowboy Artist.6 His works were prolific. They're worth into the millions today. Besides Western Art, and sculpture,6 he also wrote and recited stories.7
He stayed in Cascade, Montana for his later life. Charles expired there on October 24, 1926, from congestive heart failure. Great Falls, Montana students were let out of school to pay their respects on the day of his funeral.7
A few other artists were contemporaries of Remington and Russell. Although not as popular, or as well-known, they are worth mentioning.
Recommended - Read More About Him:
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Some Examples of Affordable Western Art
Aficionados of Western art often look for specific types of subject matter. They may want to complete their collection with works they still don't have. Or they may only specialize in one type of category. Some people may only be able to buy one or two pieces for their home, and choose a type they love most.
Here's a listing of the types of Western art you may find for sale, on auction, in museums, or in collections:
You don't have to be wealthy to have Western art for your home. You can decorate a room with a Western theme with this type of artwork. Do you have a Game Room or Media Room with a bar decorated with a Western Concept? Here are some decorating ideas for using this type of Western styled artwork.
Some suggestions are:
See More Artwork - Reasonably Priced - For Home Decor - Click Here>
1 Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied (1843-1844). Published in English translation. London: Achermann & Comp.
2 Fielding, M. (1986). Mantle Fielding's dictionary of American painters, sculptors & engravers. Poughkeepsie, NY : Apollo.
3 Samuels, P. & H. (1982). Frederic Remington: A biography. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
4 Buffalo Bill Center of the West (2003, May 20). Frederic Remington. Retrieved from centerofthewest.org/explore/western-art/research/frederic-remington/
5 Foster, L. (2007, July 11). Frederic Remington: Treasures from the Frederic Remington Art Museum. Retrieved from tfaoi.com/aa/7aa/7aa796.htm
6 Osmundson, L (2011) How the west was drawn: Cowboy Charlie's art. New Orleans: Pelican Publishing.
7 Taliaferro, J. (1996). Charles M. Russell: The life and legend of America's cowboy artist. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.; 2003: University of Oklahoma Press, ISBN 978-0-8061-3495-6
8 Arader Galleries (n.d.). KARL BODMER (1809-1893). Prints, watercolors and rare maps. Retrieved from aradergalleries.com/collections/karl-bodmer-1809-1893
9 The Annex Galleries (n.d.). Karl Bodmer Swiss 1809-1893 Biography. Retrieved from annexgalleries.com/artists/biography/223/Bodmer/Karl
10 Paxson Jr., W.E. (1984). E.S. Paxson: Frontier artist. Boulder, CO: Pruett Pub Co. ISBN-10: 0871086638, ISBN-13: 978-0871086631
11 The Los Angeles Times. (1945, May 20) Ed Borein, painter, dies. P. 13. Retrieved from newspapers.com/image/380742027/?terms=%22Edward%2BBorein%22
12 Wolgamott, L.G. (2000, Jan 23). Appreciation growing for artist's work. P. 83, Nebraska: Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved from newspapers.com/image/297498774/?terms=%22Edward%2BBorein%22