Side Saddle c. 1937

This sepia toned saddle was made by Frank C. Barks, but its date remains a mystery to us. Just look at the process involved in making all those tiny marks, each one building up the form of the saddle. I think about how the physical act of mark-making becomes a kind of meditation. The artist must have been so in tune with the saddle itself, its texture and shape. Notice how Barks renders the ornate carvings on the leather. These details, so lovingly depicted, suggest a world of craftsmanship, tradition, and dedication. The way he uses thin, transparent washes of color allows the underlying paper to peek through, creating a sense of depth and luminosity. This reminds me a little of Charles Marion Russell, who also depicted scenes from the American West. Both artists capture the spirit of a particular time and place, inviting us to reflect on our relationship to history and culture. Art is always speaking to art, across time.