March 3, 2022
BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM
210 W Market ST, San Antonio, TX 78205
“Modern museum housing art & artifacts reflecting the history & culture of the American West.” - Google
The Briscoe is a fun museum dedicated to Western art. Named in honor of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, Jr., and his wife Janey Slaughter Briscoe, who envisioned a museum that would share the story of Western heritage and the people behind that story. I found the collection to be an interesting mix of paintings, bronze sculptures, and other items of interest. Many of the paintings and sculptures were by modern-day artists which I found refreshing since I don’t think of modern art when I hear Western art. But not all was modern, there were pieces by Frederic Remington and C.M. Russell, saddles used by Pancho Villa and Roy Rogers. A gallery dedicated to the Battle of the Alamo had a large diorama along with several artifacts from that time period.
I enjoyed the Briscoe Western Art Museum, and will return if in the San Antonio area again.
Replica of a Wells Fargo Stagecoach
Diamonds and Denim; 1994; Mehl Lawson; Bonze, AP 5
Prairie Sundown; 2018; Ralph Oberg; Oil on linen
Frank Chisum--Wild West Icon; 2020; Kim Wiggins; Oil on canvas
Battle of the Alamo Diorama
Pancho Villa Saddle, ca. 1920; Made by Joaquin Rodriguez and Alberto Tulan Cingo Marquez; Leather and silver.
1876, Gall--Sitting Bull--Crazy Horse; ca. 2011; John Coleman; Bronze-Edition 5/5
An Honest Days Work; n.d.; Fred Fellows; Bronze
And Stay Off; n.d.; Oleg Stavrowsky; Oil on canvas. My favorite piece in the museum.
Roy Rogers' Saddle and Bridle; n.d.; Made by John E. McCabe adn J.P. Davis; Leather, silver, and gold.
Buffalo Nickel; n.d.; Greg Woodard; Bronze
Spirit Song; 2012; Tim Solliday; Oil on linen
Northern Plateau Women; 2012; Doug Hyde; Pink Portuguese marble
How Many More; 2011; Blair Buswell; Bronze
Battery of U.S. Field Artillery Going Into Action; n.d.; W.H. Dunton; Oil on canvas en grisaille
Fiesta Day on the Plaza; ca. 2003; Kim Wiggins; Oil on canvas.
Indian Scout; 1895; C.M. Russell; Watercolor and graphite on paper
The Marshal, (John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn); 1980; Harry Jackson; Bronze
The museum is housed in a former library. This quote was found above one of the entrance doors.