Frederic Remington’s The Cheyenne is considered one of the most important works in the Denver Art Museum's western American art collection. The title, The Cheyenne, gives the tribal affiliation of the rider, but the rest of the narrative has been left to the viewer’s imagination. He could be in pursuit of startled prey, calling back to his fellow hunters to excite fervor for the chase, or perhaps he is the prey, and his head turns slightly to look at his pursuer.
In the Saddled/Ensillados section of Stampede: Animals in Art a string of multi-colored horses gallop, buck, and rear above other equine-related artworks. In 1936 artist Frank Mechau (pronounced “may-show”, 1904–1946) prepared this 60-foot-long study for a mural in the courtyard of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Uniting the diverse influences of his travels to artistic hubs of the early twentieth century–including Chicago, New York, Paris, Munich, and Florence–this work also reflects Mechau’s lifelong interest in the subjects of his native American West.
The DAM invites you to summon your inner turtle for our inaugural Slow Art Day, an international event with the simple mission to help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art. On April 14, people all over the world will visit museums and galleries to look at art slowly, lingering with five works of art for 10 minutes each and then joining back up for a conversation about the experience. Though simple in design, you might be surprised at the discoveries that happen just by taking the time to look.
The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast, with a collection of more than 70,000 works of art. While the North Building is being renovated, the museum will be hosting cross-departmental exhibitions to display artworks from visitor favorites to ones that are rarely seen. The first such exhibition, Stampede: Animals in Art, is a celebration of the DAM's extensive collection that explores how animals are used in art.
The annual Western American Art Symposium this year is called Beyond America’s Heartland: Regionalism and the Art of the American West. This full-day event hosted by the Petrie Institute of Western American Art at the Denver Art Museum takes place on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Featuring four presentations by leading scholars from across the United States, this symposium examines regionalism and its impact on artists working in the American West.
Before the symposium, take our quiz to see how much you know about regionalism.
QUIZ
Looking for fun things to do with holiday visitors? Bring them to the Denver Art Museum! All of the exhibitions and programs mentioned below are included with general admission except Her Paris: Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism. Tip: Check the calendar to see what’s happening at the museum on the day you visit.
1. Celebrate women artists
Why DAM Curator Angelica Daneo Thinks Women-Only Art Exhibits Still Matter
—Liz Simmons, The Westword
Take a video tour of Her Paris: Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism and see why it's getting rave reviews. Below are just a few of the comments visitors have shared with us:
1. I loved the exhibit. One of my favorites of all time. I have been a member for many years & have visited many exhibits starting in the late 1980s. This is one of the best. Everyone should see it. Its themes are so relevant for our times in history. – JPT
Every year between 1908 and 1952, Swedish-born American artist Sven Birger Sandzén (1871-1954) traveled into the Colorado Rockies and produced vibrant interpretations of the state’s “beauty of bigness.” Thanks to the generosity of the DAM Westerners, the Petrie Institute of Western American Art’s acquisitions group, Sandzén’s A Mountain Symphony (Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado) is on display to the public for the first time in 90 years.
The 'American Van Gogh'
VISIT DENVER’s 11th annual Denver Arts Week celebration of the Mile High City's vibrant arts and culture scene kicks off November 3. The nine-day celebration of art and creativity continues through November 11. Denver Arts Week is punctuated by visual arts, theater, live music, film, museums, dance, opera, comedy, literature, history, and heritage.
DAM Membership Offer, through Nov. 11
This fall and winter, the Denver Art Museum is offering visitors a little taste of Paris. See Her Paris: Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism and enjoy a special beverage in the Callahan Café. There's even a non-coffee drink for the kids. Check out the menu below for Her Paris-themed drinks. We also have regular coffee, tea, and espresso drinks, prepared sandwiches and salads, and desserts.