“Having their Picture Took”: Western Portrait Photography Then and Now

From photo sessions in 1890s saloons to Scott Baxter’s Top Hand project and the Petersen cousins’ series on working artists, personalities of the West and their stories have long been captured for posterity. Central to the display will be Ben Stahl’s large oil painting that gives the exhibition its title, along with historic photographs and cameras from the Museum’s collection. Large historic cameras and equipment from the collection of photo historian Jeremy Rowe will also be on view.

The exhibition will also feature the contemporary color photographs of Erik and Willie Petersen, which depict artists in the environments that inspire them. In addition to several portraits of Cowboy Artists of America artist Bill Nebeker, the Museum’s 2017 heART of the West Gala honoree, a number of Nebeker’s large bronzes will be included.

A third section will showcase black and white contemporary portraits by Scott Baxter and Barbara Van Cleve. Baxter’s hand-written journal documenting his 100 Years 100 Ranchers Arizona centennial series will accompany those shots, while his Top Hand portraits will be accessorized by the distinctive hats worn by the sitters.

guidePORT™ recordings will enliven both the Petersen and Baxter displays.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website