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The relationship between men and women on the western frontier was far different once civilization arrived. As people may recognize from movies, behind the bar was often a painting of a scantily-clad woman. This was much more symbolic of the male ideal of the female in the old west than the more elegantly-posed Victorian portraits of women. I had originally thought of calling this painting “Doc’s Farewell” based on Doc Holiday’s relationship with an infamous woman of the Old West, Katie Elder, a woman he shared back and forth with the gunfighter Johnny Ringo. It was not unusual in the Old West for men of substance and reputation to marry prostitutes. Wyatt Earp’s first wife in fact was a woman of just such a profession. When civilization arrived, Eastern values once more prevailed and women once more were housewives, mothers, and teachers. Which was better? I’m not judging. Perhaps we need a balance in-between.

Married; self taught; native-born Earthling. All artwork and descriptions in this gallery are copyright � Arthur Enrico. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited.