Oil painting of two cowboys and their horses.

The Cowboy in Texas Art

May 18–Aug. 13, 2023
J. Wayne Stark Galleries | Memorial Student Center, MSC 1110

 

The Cowboy In Texas Art explores 20th century artistic treatment of one of the most popular and enduring symbols of our great state. This exhibition features premier examples of the Texas cowboy in art, displayed against a thin veil of dynamic tension, which has accompanied the subject matter over time as Texas artists have wrestled to secure the rightful place of this homegrown cowboy genre. It is an examination of a classic subject in our state’s rich artistic legacy.

This exhibition represents the fifth installation in the Texas Art Project series.
 

Cover of art exhibition catalogue. Reads "The Cowboy in Texas Art," and features an oil painting of a cowboy with a yellow house behind him.

Exhibition Catalogue

Explore the catalogue to see artworks from the exhibition and learn more about the subject of the cowboy in Early Texas Art. Design and layout by Linda J. Reaves.

“There’s no greater symbol, more recognizable symbol worldwide, than the cowboy, bar none.”

-Michael Grauer, curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

 
 
 

Virtual Tour

Step inside the galleries and view this exhibition virtually. Click on the white “hotspots” on the floor to move around. You can find more digital resources to explore on our Virtual Tours page.