Docent In Training - Amon, Frederic and, Charles

His First Lesson - Frederic Remington 1903

Hello!

This weeks very interesting docent class was all about Amon G. Carter, Frederic Remington, and Charles M. Russell.  Dr. Ron Tyler, former director of the ACMAA, conducted the first part of the class which I prefer to call "How a Relationship Between an Oil Man and a Humorist Resulted in a Museum." Active docents kindly gave their time to give us talks on some art works by Remington and Russell.

One thing is for sure - the more you know the more you know you don't know. That is how I felt after the class which was one part art appreciation and two parts history. Both parts worked well to introduce us to two very well known western artists and one very well known Ft Worth businessman. I say introduce because it is impossible to cover three lives such as these in a short three hour period.

So how does the relationship between a true self-made millionaire, Amon G. Carter and one of America's best love humorists, Will Rogers, result in an art museum.

Amon G. Carter and Will Rogers

During the course of their friendship Mr. Rogers suggested Mr. Carter invest in Western art. His first documented purchases were the above Remington, "His First Lesson" and nine Russell water colors. He continued to purchase Remington and Russell works for many, many years. Mr. Carter loved Ft Worth and always promoted this area at every opportunity. Because he had been poor as a youth he stated his extensive collection of Western art should be displayed in a museum for all to see and enjoy. Thus the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art was created. Sadly he did not live to see the museum. The name has been changed to The Amon Carter Museum of American Art as it has grown to reflect American art from the beginning to the 1950s. More on that as we journey along.

The last half of the class was devoted to eight works by the two artists including "His First Lesson" above. each one portrays a period, albeit sometimes romanticized, in the American west. Each was described by the active docents as to what it meant and how it was achieved. Obviously the artists did a great deal of work in their studios however they had lived and worked in the west so were accurate in their translations. The history behind these works is fascinating but far too much for me to relate in a small blog. I have at least one question under each picture to give you something to research. Online searches will yield for you a wealth of information - or if close enough visit the Amon Carter Museum and check in it's library.

A Dash For The Timber - Frederic Remington 1889

 Question - how did Remington know all four feet of a horse could leave the ground at the same time?

The Bronco Buster Bronze - Frederic Remington 1914

 Two Questions - Where have you seen this bronze on TV and in movies? And what very famous president of the U.S. was presented one by a group he headed.

The Buffalo Hunt [No. 39] - Charles M. Russell 1919

Question - Why is this called No 39?

Indian Women Moving - Charles M. Russell 1898

Question - Why were the women in charge of all the tribes belongings?

The Medicine Man - Charles M. Russell 1908

Question - What do you think the tracks in the ground are?

The Fall of the Cowboy - Frederic Remington 1895

Question - What did Remington believe helped cause the demise or fall of the cowboy?

Through the Smoke Sprang the Daring Soldier - Frederic Remington 1897

Two questions - What does the yellow on their cloaks signify and who are they fighting?

Have some fun looking up the answers.

Adios until next week,

Caroline

Docent in Training First Class

Hello!

Welcome to my adventures as a volunteer or keeping a senior out of trouble.

I have been accepted to be a docent (teacher, tour guide) at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Ft Worth, Texas. This blog will be the journey it takes to achieve this wonderful opportunity. This is the first week of several months of study at the museum. As a class we had to introduce each other as if we were art works. Interesting to say the least.

My mind is in overtime with all I have to read and retain. The Amon Carter Museum has been in existence since 1961 which makes it young in the museum world; however it is a museum well endowed and has been under excellent leadership. This has allowed it to grow and expand from the western art collection, notably works by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, given by Amon G. Carter to start a museum for the people of Tarrant County, Texas.




Charles Russell

Frederic Remington

Today spouse and I attended a themed tour at the museum of the exhibition "In Our Own Words": Native Impressions by artists Daniel Heyman and Lucy Ganje. Also included in the tour was the exhibit The Theatrical Wild West about William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The native impressions is both very sad and yet hopeful. Mr. Heyman and MS. Ganje interviewed several Native Americans in North Dakota and created works of art based on what they heard. The most interesting part of Buffalo Bill is the fact that he was able to keep the show running for 30 years and had hundreds of people working for him, including Sitting Bull, Wild Bill Hickok, and Annie Oakley. Not to mention the hundreds of animals. Imagine the logistics that went into transporting all of them.



In Our Own Words



The Theatrical Wild West

There will be much, much more on this adventure and, if accepted, my adventure in becoming a master gardener certified by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Have to wait to see if I am accepted into that program. Why did I wait until age 77 to start all this? Well the business of life took up the first 76 and if not now it will never happen.

As Roy used to say,
Happy Trails

Caroline