Bronco Buster c. 19th century

Frederic Remington’s bronze sculpture, "Bronco Buster" captures a quintessential image of the American West. Remington, working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mythologized the cowboy, often glossing over the harsh realities and diverse experiences of life on the frontier. Here, the cowboy isn’t just a rider; he's a symbol of rugged individualism and mastery over nature, a narrative deeply entwined with ideas of American exceptionalism and expansionism. What’s often left out of this picture are the complex histories of Indigenous peoples, Mexican Americans, and African American cowboys whose lives were also part of this era. Remington's romanticized vision perpetuates a particular kind of masculinity that was dominant at the time. The emotional impact of this piece lies in its celebration of the cowboy, while subtly erasing other voices from the historical record. It prompts us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out of our understanding of the West.