February 10th 2025 | DAF

Mounted Indian at Sunset | Albert Bierstadt, late 19th century

I have always liked the idea of the Wild West. While certain aspects of the West is undoubtedly true and a factual part of American history, there is also an element of the Wild West that is purely lore and stories. It is sort of like the American version of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. Sure, there were kings and knights and there was quests and journeys, but these elaborate tales of a magical Merlin and knights encountering a literal Holy Grail are all part of a fictional world. In a similar way, the cowboys and their duels were real, but a lot of our impression of the Wild West is based on stories and ideas passed down through generations. The idea of the Wild West is just an attempt to illustrate the essence of America and the American Dream.

In this painting, specifically you see a lone cowboy riding off into the sunset. This image falls in line with the Wild West lore that has new Americans crossing into the unknown as they travelled farther West and creating a new life for themselves. The people of the west turned dry plains and rural mountains of emptiness into a means of achieving their dreams. They found success in mines and on ranches and met prosperity. It is a beautiful story to ground the American identity in and remind people that anything is possible. And a beautiful painting to represent that feeling. The bright orange sunset reminding the cowboy and the viewer that the best is in front of them.