The horse is an iconic symbol in Western art. For centuries, artists have found inspiration in the grace, raw power and free spirit of these beasts and the unique connection that humans have with them. Currently on view at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona, is the exhibition The Horse in Art,which draws historic and contemporary paintings, drawings and sculptures from the DCWM’s permanent collections and loaned material. The show is a tribute to the horse’s place in the American West—a figure ubiquitous with ranching life and cowboy culture at large.
Frederic Remington (1861-1909), Vaquero, Soledad Ranch, Mexico, 1896, oil on canvas. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Aiken Fisher. Photo by Terrence Moore.
“The artwork featured in this exhibit serves as an artistic-historical framework, stimulating further thoughts and study of the horse’s significant role in America,” says DCWM curator Tricia Loscher. “In Western art, horses often take center stage in depictions of dominance, exploration and frontier life, reflecting the rugged spirit of the American West…Whether depicted charging into battle or galloping across vast landscapes, the horse in Western art symbolizes the essence of adventure and the unyielding pursuit of freedom and survival.”
Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937-2005), Indians with Umbrellas, 1971, lithograph on paper. Printer: Tamarind Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico. On loan courtesy of Alan K. Pace.
Artists represented in the exhibition span a wide time period within Western art, from 20th-century masters like Frederic Remington, George Catlin and Alonzo “Lon” Megargee, to esteemed present-day artists Deborah Copenhaver Fellows and Roger Kull. Visitors can also explore the works of Joe Beeler, Fritz Scholder, Marjorie Reed and more.
Joe Beeler (1931-2006), Thanks for the Rain, 1971, bronze, ed. 9 of 17. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Aiken Fisher. Photo by Terrence Moore.
“This exhibition offers a unique educational journey through both historical and contemporary artwork featuring the horse. It juxtaposes the horse’s historical significance as a critical companion in exploring the Americas and the modern interpretations of this majestic animal,” says Loscher.
A major highlight in the show is Remington’s 1896 oil Vaquero, Soledad Ranch, Mexico, featuring a rider on horseback in the middle of the desert. “With its intriguing history, this painting connects us to a bygone era,” says Loscher. “There is a suggestion that this painting might be misnamed. Some scholars have proposed the intriguing theory that Remington’s inspiration for Vaquero stemmed from a story he wrote in 1897 called The Soledad Girls.The narrative describes a cowboy observing the daughters of Texas ranch owners while sitting sideways in his saddle. The person in the painting bears a distinctive resemblance to Remington himself, complete with a blonde mustache. Remington’s depiction of the horseman in Vaquero captivatingly gazes directly at the viewer, appraising them, while donning a sombrero that discreetly shades his eyes. The atmospheric haze captures both horse and rider on a hot, sunny day.”
Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, Girls Night Out, 2008, bronze, ed. 11 of 35. Gift to the Museum in Memory of Kristina Glover. Photo by Terrence Moore.
The Horse in Art will remain on view at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum through June 8, 2025. —
The Horse in Art
Through June 8, 2025
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
21 N. Frontier Street, Wickenburg, AZ 85390
(928) 684-2272, www.westernmuseum.org
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