What are Western Art Prints?
Western Art Prints is a broad definition of a huge scope of art. It can mean any art produced in western America, or in the global western hemisphere. My interest in Western art specifically concerns cowboys, Indians, horses, cattle, ranches, and frontier life in general. North America west of the Mississippi and onward to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The cowboy way of life.
In modern decor, western art can include such artists as Georgia O’Keeffe from the mountains of New Mexico to the cowboy art of George Phippen and Dave Powell (whose work you can see in the TV series Yellowstone). And of course, Frederic Remington who painted and sculpted the working cowboys, bronco busters, Native Americans, and soldiers of the old West.
Exploring Western Art History
Roots of Western Art
One of the earliest known artists of this genre was a man named George Catlin (1796 – 1872) who traveled the West and painted over 400 images and portraits of American Indians. He was obsessed with painting all of the Indian tribes of North America as he understood that they were vanishing with the onset of modern civilization and the government policies of the time.
Eventually, western-themed art evolved into the modern-day style of ranch hands on horseback, roping cattle, rodeos, and cattle trails across the great plains. Sunsets, campfires, and chuck wagons have a strong appeal to folks living in city life. and in the USA there’s nothing that says ‘American’ more than images of these bygone pioneer days.
Early American Western Artists
and his amazing action-filled paintings.
and his phenomenal use of light.
and his stylized depiction of Indian buffalo hunters.
and his great sweeping landscapes,
such as this one of the Grand Canyon
Western art especially resonates with those of us who are attracted to the beauty and romance in the rugged, untamed landscapes and to the hardworking spirit of our ancestors who ived and worked there.
To me, Western art prints are more than just decorative pieces. They are a clear view of American history and culture. They remind us of the challenging and rewarding life of the early settlers and the indigenous people of North America. In short, western art connects us with the past while still being relevant in the present. Whether you’re an avid collector or just appreciate the beauty and history of these works, Western art prints offer a window into the soul of the American West.