Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA February 8-March 23
The Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles is at the forefront of promoting contemporary Western artists through unparalleled exhibitions and events. For more than 25 years the museum celebrated the genre through its Masters of the American West art show, but this year it is pivoting to an event that combines curatorial expertise with an auction.
Romance Reimagined, on view February 8 through March 23, is a retrospective featuring 44 works primarily from the Autry’s collection. Many are past Masters award-winning pieces that highlight the breadth of what is Western art. The show is curated by Amy Scott, the Autry’s Executive Vice President of Research and Interpretation, who focused on “romanticism in art that still permeates the [images of the] American West.” Scott continues, “It’s an imaginative movement that encourages travel and a firsthand experience of nature.”
Originating in the late 18th century, romanticism as an art style is marked by a sense of history and nostalgia but with an artist’s own interpretation and emotions radiating through each scene. This has lent itself well to the Western art genre that beckons to simplicity and the beauty of nature. Scott says, “It invites one to imagine the West as it was and the components of it that still are. The West is a place that’s indelibly shaped by historical convention.”
Masterworks on view will include landscapes from Jim Wilcox and Len Chmiel, images of cowboy life from Bill Anton, and wildlife sculptures from artists like Walter Matia and Tim Shinabarger. “There are a lot of nice works that haven’t been seen since they debuted at the Masters,” says Scott. She adds that the event is the chance to “Enjoy great examples by some of the most prominent artists of the contemporary West with a nod to the art historical roots and also the contributions to the Autry’s collection and vision.”
Presented for the duration of Romance Reimagined are also freshly created pieces by 70 artists for the ticketed Small Works Auction on Saturday, March 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The auction—which has been curated by Beau Alexander, owner of Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Pasadena, California, in collaboration with the museum—is a treasure trove of art by many new exhibitors and past Masters artists. Participants include Tony Abeyta, Eric Bowman, Tim Cherry, Teresa Elliott, Donna Howell-Sickles, Dean Mitchell, Ezra Tucker and Xiang Zhang. One of the major highlights is a new portrait from Howard Terpning, whose work has been a cornerstone of previous events at the museum.
Complete details on the exhibition, ticketing and auction structure are available through the Autry. —Rochelle Belsito
contact information(323) 667-2000theautry.org
This story appeared in the February/March 2025 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.
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