Desert Journey 1935

Maynard Dixon made this artwork in the American West. It depicts a lone rider on horseback, set against a vast desert landscape dominated by monumental clouds. Dixon was deeply invested in portraying the West's unique character at a time when the Western genre had become a staple of mass culture, particularly through dime novels and early cinema. What you see here is the artist's response to the mythology of the West, a landscape he knew intimately and felt was being misrepresented. His approach was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which valued craftmanship and honesty. By simplifying forms and emphasizing the stark beauty of the desert, Dixon aimed to strip away the romantic clichés and offer a more authentic vision. His art served as a counterpoint to the sentimental and often exploitative images circulating at the time. The artist's personal letters and the records of exhibitions in local newspapers and art galleries are just some resources for understanding how Dixon navigated the complex social and artistic landscape of his time.