Peacemaker 

Danny Galieote, a twentieth-century artist, painted 'Peacemaker' seemingly as a commentary on western genre art. Here we see a woman in a pale dress and cowboy hat concealing a revolver behind her back. But what might be subversive about this seemingly straightforward image? The title itself suggests a narrative of conflict resolution but the revolver suggests possible violence. Galieote may be playing with the history of the Wild West and the ways it is represented in popular culture. During the 20th century, the "Western" genre gained popularity, particularly in film. Westerns tended to focus on ideas of rugged individualism and coded masculinity. But here, Galieote seems to upend this idea by presenting a female protagonist. As historians, we might ask what sources the artist was drawing on in the creation of this image. How does it relate to the westerns of his day, or to the reality of life for women in the old West? By looking at the social context, we can better understand the multiple meanings of this painting.