The American West: Perception & Reality

This gallery introduces the western collections at Gilcrease in terms of the perception and reality of the American West. The entire suite of galleries serves to compare and contrast the images and objects created during the 19th and early 20th centuries in order to consider how the ideas of the West evolved in fact and fiction. In this introductory gallery, several disparate images make the point and start the visitor thinking.

Warfare on the Plains
This gallery examines military action on the Plains between the U.S. Cavalry and the various Plains Indian warriors. The time period covers the post-Civil War era to the end of the century.

Western Commerce
This gallery shows the methods that facilitated the post-Civil War commercial development of the West, from the western trails to the railroad. Such romantic incidents as the short-lived Pony Express, the completion of the transcontinental railroad, and the wagon trains have fueled fascination with the West.

Cowboys
This gallery looks at the evolution of the icon, The Cowboy. For something that actually existed for a relatively short period of time, the image of the cowboy is one of the most enduring.

Plains Indian Culture
This gallery considers how artists have interpreted Plains Indian life, mostly after the fact. Juxtaposition of paintings with artifacts will allow the visitor to consider the fact and fiction of the depictions.

Western Icons
Two galleries are devoted to sculptural, western icons. From Remington's Buffalo Horse to Fraser's End of the Trail, images such as these have shaped notions about the Native American.

Western Landscape
This gallery presents some of the spectacular landscapes of the far West. Artists such as Moran and Bierstadt are featured.

Eastern Landscape
This gallery looks at the landscape east of the Mississippi and mostly pre-Civil War.

Natural Landscape
Euro-American exploration and settlement ultimately changed the landscape in more ways than cutting down trees to build towns. This gallery focuses on the effects on the natural world, ecosystems and habitats.

Exploration, Encounter and Exploitation
These galleries look at the pre-Civil War period of 19th century exploration of America. Paintings and watercolors by Miller, Catlin and numerous other artist explorers who accompanied exploring parties are shown.