West of the Rio Grande 2018

Mark Maggiori, born in 1977, painted “West of the Rio Grande” without specifying a date, capturing a scene steeped in the mythology of the American West. In this tableau, two cowboys on horseback pause against a backdrop of a vast, cloud-strewn sky and the rugged landscape beyond the Rio Grande. Maggiori, who was born in France, approaches this iconic imagery with a studied eye. His cowboys evoke a romantic vision, but perhaps also prompt reflection on the narratives we tell ourselves about this landscape and its inhabitants. The West, after all, is a place of conquest and contradiction, a place of freedom for some and dispossession for others. Maggiori’s painting, with its cinematic quality, invites us to consider the complex layers of history and identity that shape our understanding of the American West. It is a personal and emotional touchstone, reflecting the ongoing dialogue between the romantic ideal and the realities of history.