Art of the American West Collection
Joslyn is noted especially for its collection of art of the American West and is world-renowned for its collection of works by the Swiss artist Karl Bodmer, whose watercolors and prints document his 1832-34 journey to the Missouri River frontier with the German naturalist, Prince Maximilian of Wied. A second significant body of work, watercolors and paintings by Alfred Jacob Miller, portrays Miller's experience in the West with Sir William Drummond Stewart in 1837. Joslyn's Western American collection also includes paintings and sculpture by George Catlin, George Caleb Bingham, Seth Eastman, Carl Wimar, Charles M. Russell, Thomas Moran, Frederic Remington, and William Robinson Leigh.
Margre H. Durham Center for Western Studies
Established in 1980, the Durham Center for Western Studies is the research institute of Joslyn Art Museum, devoted to the study of the art and culture of the American West. Because of Joslyn's exceptional holdings in the art of early American exploration -- in particular the Maximilian-Bodmer and the Stewart-Miller material -- the Durham Center was established in 1980 to enhance both the scholarly and non-specialist understanding of the visual heritage of this region so crucial to American cultural identity. While Joslyn Art Museum holds the watercolors and drawings by Bodmer and Miller, the Durham Center is known for its research materials, most notably the three-volume Tagebuch, or journal, compiled by Prince Maximilian of Wied, as well as a great variety of ephemera collected on the journey, some still preserved in their original folders.
Joslyn Art Museum and its Durham Center for Western Studies is actively pursuing collections of art or research materials that reflect, document or interpret aspects of the art, history, culture and exploration of the American West, including American Indian art and culture.
If you would like more information on the Durham Center, are in possession of materials which you would like to discuss at further length, or would like more information on supporting Joslyn in this endeavor, Click Here to contact the Curatorial Department.
Publications:
The most publicly visible aspect of the Durham Center's workings are its publications on the art of American exploration, with three volumes on the art of Karl Bodmer and one on Thomas Moran. Currently in preparation is an annotated translation of Maximilian's Tagebuch. The first of the three volumes, titled The North American Journals of Prince Maximilian of Wied and covering the period May 1832 to April 1833, was released in June 2008.
All Center publications are available in the Joslyn Museum Shop and are found in libraries around the world. Click each for more information and to purchase through the Shop:
Click here for more information on Maximilian's journals and how to support this Durham Center project
Click here to support and get involved with the Durham Center and Art of the American West through the Bodmer Society
Search results: Art of the American West
Adams, Ansel (1902-1984),
American,
The Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, WY,
1942/1978,
gelatin silver print, 15 1/8 x 18 7/8 in.; 38.4175 x 47.9425 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Audubon, John Woodhouse (1812-1862), after Audubon, John James (1785-1851),
American,
Barn Owl (Plate 34),
1860 (series 1858-1860),
chromolithograph, 40 x 27 in.; 101.6 x 68.58 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Berninghaus, Oscar-Edmund (1874-1952),
American,
First Snow - Taos,
,
oil on canvas board, 14 x 14 in.; 35.56 x 35.56 cm, Gift of Sydney Johnsen Wayland.
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Bierstadt, Albert (1830-1902),
American (born Prussia (Germany)),
Storm on the Matterhorn,
1886,
oil on canvas on masonite panel, 53 3/4 x 83 1/2 in.; 136.525 x 212.09 cm, Gift of Mrs. Ben Gallagher.
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Bierstadt, Albert (1830-1902),
American (born Prussia (Germany)),
Valley of the Yosemite,
c. 1864,
oil on canvas on paper, 14 x 19 in.; 35.56 x 48.26 cm, Gift of Mrs. C. N. Dietz.
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Bierstadt, Albert (1830-1902),
American (born Prussia (Germany)),
The Trappers, Lake Tahoe,
,
oil on canvas, 19 1/2 x 27 3/4 in.; 49.53 x 70.485 cm, Gift of Mrs. Harold Gifford.
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Bingham, George Caleb (1811-1879),
American,
Watching the Cargo by Night ,
1854,
oil on canvas, 24 x 29 in.; 60.96 x 73.66 cm, Gift of Foxley & Co..
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Bisttram, Emil (1895-1976),
American,
Taos,
1933,
watercolor on paper, 19 x 24 in.; 48.26 x 60.96 cm, Gift of George Barker.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
View of New Harmony,
,
watercolor on paper, 6 1/4 x 10 3/4 in.; 15.875 x 27.305 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Omaha Boy,
,
watercolor on paper, 10 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 27.6225 x 20.0025 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Assiniboin Camp,
,
watercolor on paper, 7 5/8 x 10 3/8 in.; 19.3675 x 26.3525 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Mih-Tutta-Hang-Kusch, Mandan Village,
1833-1834,
watercolor and ink on paper, 11 1/4 x 16 5/8 in.; 28.575 x 42.2275 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Mató-Tópe (Four Bears), Mandan Chief,
1834,
watercolor and ink on paper, 16 1/2 x 11 5/8 in.; 41.91 x 29.5275 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Pehriska-Ruhpa, Hidatsa Man,
,
watercolor on paper, 15 7/8 x 11 1/2 in.; 40.3225 x 29.21 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
White Castles on the Missouri,
,
watercolor on paper, 9 x 16 3/8 in.; 22.86 x 41.5925 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Rock Formations on the Upper Missouri,
,
watercolor on paper, 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 in.; 31.75 x 19.685 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Wahktageli, Yankton Sioux Chief,
,
watercolor and pencil on paper, 16 3/4 x 11 5/8 in.; 42.545 x 29.5275 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Chan-Chä-Uiá-Teüin, Teton Sioux Woman,
,
watercolor and pencil on paper, 17 x 11 7/8 in.; 43.18 x 30.1625 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Piegan Blackfeet Man,
,
watercolor and pencil on paper, 12 3/8 x 10 in.; 31.4325 x 25.4 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893),
Swiss,
Hidatsa Buffalo Robe,
,
watercolor on paper, 14 x 17 5/8 in.; 35.56 x 44.7675 cm, Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Bodmer, Karl (1809-1893), after,
Swiss,
Travellers Meeting Minatarre Indians near Fort Clark,
1842,
engraving with hand-colored aquatint, , Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Capps, Charles Merrick (1898-1981),
American,
Into the Hills,
1947,
etching with aquatint, 6 7/8 x 12 in.; 17.4625 x 30.48 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Cary, William de la Montagne (1840-1922),
American,
Jim Bridger with Sir William Drummond Stewart,
1872,
oil on canvas, 14 1/4 x 18 1/4 in.; 36.195 x 46.355 cm, Museum purchase with funds provided in part by Michael and Gail Yanney, in honor of Sarah Bay, and the Art Purchase Fund.
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Catlin, George (1796-1872),
American,
Wi-Jun-Jon. An Assinneboin (sic) Chief ,
1844,
hand-colored lithograph, 17 1/2 x 12 1/8 in.; 44.45 x 30.7975 cm, Gift of the Walter Scott, Jr., Foundation.
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Catlin, George (1796-1872),
American,
Mandan Chief: Mah-To-Toh-Pah (Four Bears),
1851,
watercolor on paper, 16 x 20 3/4 in.; 40.64 x 52.705 cm, Gift of W. F. Davidson.
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Catlin, George (1796-1872),
American,
A Prairie Picnic Disturbed by a Rushing Herd of Buffalo,
1854 (?),
oil on canvas, 18 3/4 x 26 1/2 in.; 47.625 x 67.31 cm, Gift of Mr. Carman H. Messmore.
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Charles, Prince of Zu Wied,
German,
Prince Maximilian of Wied with His Brother Prince Charles,
ca. 1825-30,
oil on canvas, , Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Cooke, George (1793-1849), after,
American,
Kish-Ke-Kosh, a Fox Brave,
1838,
hand-colored lithograph, 20 1/4 x 14 1/2 in.; 51.435 x 36.83 cm, Gift of Marian and Harold W. Andersen.
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Curtis, Edward S.,
American,
Canon de Chelly, Navaho,
1904,
orotone, 11 x 14 in.; 27.94 x 35.56 cm, Museum purchase with funds provided by Michael and Gail Yanney in honor of Sarah Bay.
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Curtis, Edward S.,
American,
Little Hawk, Teton Sioux,
1908,
photogravure, 22 x 18 in.; 55.88 x 45.72 cm, Gift of Mrs. Esther Johnsen on behalf of the Johnsen family in memory of her husband, Johnny A. Johnsen.
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Curtis, Edward S.,
American,
Painting a Hat-Nakoaktok,
1914,
photogravure, 22 x 18 in.; 55.88 x 45.72 cm, Gift of Mrs. Esther Johnsen on behalf of the Johnsen family in memory of her husband, Johnny A. Johnsen.
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Curtis, Edward S. (1868-1952),
American,
Watching the Dancers,
1906,
photogravure, 22 x 18 in.; 55.88 x 45.72 cm, Gift of Mrs. Esther Johnsen on behalf of the Johnsen family in memory of her husband Johnny A. Johnsen.
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Eastman, Seth (1808-1875),
American,
Sioux Indians,
1850,
oil on canvas, 26 3/8 x 38 1/2 in.; 66.9925 x 97.79 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Gilpin, Laura (1891-1979),
American,
Church at Picuris,
1963/pre-1978,
gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 in.; 20.32 x 25.4 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Hill, Thomas (1829-1908),
American,
Sierra Nevadas,
1879,
oil on canvas, 18 x 30 in.; 45.72 x 76.2 cm, Gift of E. A. Kingman.
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Inman, Henry (1801-1846),
American,
Portrait of Sir William Drummond Stewart,
1844,
oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in.; 76.2 x 63.5 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Jacobshagen, Keith (born 1941),
American,
All Souls,
1994-95,
oil on canvas, 38 1/8 x 36 1/8 in.; 96.8375 x 91.7575 cm, Museum Purchase with funds provided by David and Anne Rismiller.
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Johnson, Frank Tenney (1874-1939),
American,
Night in Old Wyoming,
1935,
oil on wood , 17 1/2 x 13 1/2 in.; 44.45 x 34.29 cm, Given in memory of Dr. & Mrs. Arthur C. Langmuir and of Mr. & Mrs. J. W. B. van de Water by their Families.
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Jonson, Raymond (1891-1982),
American,
Composition Five--The Wind,
1925,
oil on canvas, 33 1/2 x 44 in.; 85.09 x 111.76 cm, Museum Purchase.
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King, Charles Bird (1785-1862),
American,
Portrait of Shaumonekusse (L'Ietan),
,
oil on canvas, 29 1/2 x 24 1/2 in.; 74.93 x 62.23 cm, Gift of M. Knoedler & Co., Inc., New York.
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King, Charles Bird (1785-1862), after,
American,
Keokuk, Chief of the Sacs and Foxes,
1838,
hand-colored lithograph, 20 1/4 x 14 1/2 in.; 51.435 x 36.83 cm, Gift of Marian and Harold W. Andersen.
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Klipper, Stuart (born 1941),
American,
NE 279 Grazing Cattle, Off Hwy 92, Custer County, NE, 15 Aug '94,
1994,
color print, 24 1/8 x 62 5/8 in.; 61.2775 x 159.0675 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Klipper, Stuart (born 1941),
American,
NE 380 Passing Storm, Ranch Road, Range - Land - N.E. of Alliance, Box Butte County, NE 16 Aug '94,
1994,
color print, 24 1/8 x 62 1/2 in.; 61.2775 x 158.75 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Kurz, Rudoph Friedrich (1818-1871),
Swiss,
Boeuf Courte Queue (Mandan) Brought to Camp by His Relations,
1851,
sepia ink and pencil on paper, 14 1/8 x 21 in.; 35.8775 x 53.34 cm, Gift of Walter and Suzanne Scott, Jr..
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Leigh, William Robinson (1866-1955),
American,
A Double Crosser,
1946,
oil on canvas, 28 1/8 x 22 in.; 71.4375 x 55.88 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Manship, Paul (1885-1966),
American,
Indian Hunter and Pronghorn Antelope,
1917,
plaster, paint, Height (Indian): 50 in.; 127 cm; Height (Antelope): 62 in.; 157.48 cm, Gift of the Artist.
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McAuley, Skeet (born 1951),
American,
Navajo Monument Valley Tribal School near Goulding, Utah,
1985/86,
cibachrome print, 32 3/8 x 41 1/4 in.; 82.2325 x 104.775 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
The Surround,
,
oil on canvas, 66 x 94 1/2 in.; 167.64 x 240.03 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
The Trapper's Bride,
1850,
oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in.; 76.2 x 63.5 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Fort Laramie or Sublette's Fort,
1837,
watercolor, pencil, ink, and gouache on paper, 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.; 16.51 x 24.13 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Driving Herds of Buffalo over a Precipice,
,
pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper, 7 5/8 x 12 in.; 19.3675 x 30.48 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Caravan on Platte River,
1837,
watercolor and gouache on paper, 8 5/8 x 11 3/4 in.; 21.9075 x 29.845 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Scotts Bluff Near the Nebraska (Platte),
1837,
watercolor and gouache on paper, 7 x 12 3/4 in.; 17.78 x 32.385 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Yell of Triumph,
,
pencil, ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper, 8 1/4 x 13 3/4 in.; 20.955 x 34.925 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Preparing for a Buffalo Hunt--Sir W.D.S., Antoine and Auguste,
1837,
ink, wash, and gouache on paper, 11 x 9 1/2 in.; 27.94 x 24.13 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Encampment on Green River at the Base of the Rocky Mountains,
1837,
pencil, watercolor, and gouache on paper, 8 1/4 x 14 3/8 in.; 20.955 x 36.5125 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Landing of the Charrettes,
1837,
ink and wash on paper, 9 1/4 x 15 1/4 in.; 24.495 x 38.735 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Sunrise, Trappers, and Voyageurs at their Meals of Buffalo Hump Rib,
1837,
pencil, ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper, 7 3/4 x 9 in.; 19.685 x 22.86 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Miller, Alfred Jacob (1810-1874),
American,
Sioux Brave,
,
pencil, watercolor, and gouache on paper, diameter: 8 1/4 in.; 20.955 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Moran, Thomas (1837-1926),
American (born England),
The Grand Canyon of the Colorado,
1913,
oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in.; 63.5 x 76.2 cm, Gift of Mrs. C. N. Dietz.
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Morris, Thomas (1750-1800),
English,
Various Dresses of the Indians of North America from Millar's New Complete and Universal System of Geography,
1782,
engraving, 8 3/8 x 11 3/4 in.; 21.2725 x 29.845 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Ranney, William T. (1813-1857),
American,
Halt on the Prairie,
c. 1850,
oil on paper on paperboard, 8 1 /2 x 14 1/2 in.; 21.59 x 36.83 cm, Gift of Mrs. John F. Merriam.
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Reed, Doel (1894-1985),
American,
The Canyon,
1951,
casein on paper, 22 5/8 x 30 1/2 in.; 57.4675 x 77.47 cm, Gift of the Jr. League Jumble Shop .
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Remington, Frederic (1861-1909),
American,
Bronco Buster,
1895,
bronze, Height: 24 1/2 in.; 62.23 cm, Gift of N. P. Dodge.
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Remington, Frederic (1861-1909),
American,
Canadian Northwest Mounted Police,
1890,
oil on compressed paper board, 18 1/4 x 8 5/8 in.; 46.355 x 21.9075 cm, Gift of Mrs. C. N. Dietz.
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Russell, Charles Marion (1864-1926),
American,
Range Mother (A Serious Predicament),
1908,
oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in.; 50.8 x 76.2 cm, Gift of Foxley & Co..
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Sih-Chida,
Swiss,
Sih-Chida: Self portrait, at Fort Clark in the winter 1833-34 ,
,
watercolor on paper, , Gift of the Enron Art Foundation.
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Whittredge, Worthington (1820-1910),
American,
Long's Peak,
1866,
oil on paper on canvas, 8 1/4 x 21 1/2 in.; 20.955 x 54.61 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Wimar, Carl Ferdinand (1828-1862),
American (born Prussia (Germany)),
Indians Stealing Horses,
1854,
oil on canvas, 16 1/8 x 20 in.; 40.9575 x 50.8 cm, Museum Purchase.
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Wyeth, N.C. (1882-1945),
American,
Untitled (Illustration for Fisk Cord Tires Advertisement, 1919),
1919,
oil on canvas on panel, 32 x 71 1/2 in.; 81.28 x 181.61 cm, Museum Purchase .
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