Roy Rogers

Artist Bonnie Schiffman (born 1950)

Date1982, printed 2016

Mediumarchival print on paper

Dimensions22 × 17 inches (55.9 × 43.2 cm)
Frame: 24 3/8 × 20 3/8 × 1 1/8 inches (61.9 × 51.8 × 2.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Artist, 2016

Object number2016.8.9.1

ClassificationsPhotographs

Label TextRoy Rogers exemplifies the cowboy of popular culture. He was born Leonard Slye in Ohio. He came to western music through singing on the radio. He joined “The Sons of the Pioneers.” That led to roles as a singing cowboy in the movies, where his name was changed to Roy Rogers. In the 1950s with his wife Dale Evans, he had a popular television series. A commentator wrote, “He is purity rampant—never drinks, never smokes, never shoots pool. . . . He always wins the girl though he doesn’t kiss her. He kisses his horse.” Schiffman’s portrait depicts the genial, wholesome cowboy with his crinkly eyes and broad smile against a vast blue sky.

ProvenanceArtist; gifted August 10, 2016 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art

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