Iron Horse Gunsmoke, paperback cover 1965

Victor Prezio, an American artist, painted this cover for the paperback "Iron Horse Gunsmoke," likely in the 1960s or 70s. The lone cowboy, framed against a fiery sunset, draws heavily on the mythology of the American West. The iconography here, from the gun to the horse, speaks to a very particular kind of masculinity and individualism. Prezio’s painting is a work of commercial art, designed to attract a readership already primed to accept these values. But the cover also gives us a glimpse into how the Western genre served social and political functions during the mid-20th century. We might explore how this imagery resonated during the Cold War, when the figure of the rugged individualist stood in opposition to the perceived conformity of communist societies. Or we could investigate the role of Westerns in shaping attitudes toward violence, race, and expansionism. By examining period publications, film criticism, and political speeches, we can better understand the complex meanings embedded in this seemingly simple paperback cover.