Maynard Dixon
Born on a ranch near Fresno, California, Maynard Dixon is best known for his paintings of the American West. He traveled widely, exploring the West beyond California, making visits to Montana, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. He was attracted both to the landscape and the people he met on his travels. He experimented with a variety of painting styles and color palettes, all in service of visually telling stories about the land and its inhabitants.
What place embodies optimism and promise today?
During the summer of 1915, Dixon traveled to Arizona with his wife and daughter. He spent time sketching and painting in the area around the Grand Canyon, eventually painting around sixty canvases inspired by the experience. In a 1968 review, one critic described the works from this period, which feature the bright palette and broken color of French Impressionism, “it’s almost as if Monet wore out on the range.”
Museum purchase, Skae Fund Legacy