Hold On To What Is Good 2020

Mark Maggiori, sometime this century, painted "Hold On To What Is Good," likely in oil. The light in this piece really grabs you; Maggiori lays it on thick, especially around the edges of the clouds and the horse. It’s not just about what we see, but how we see it. Notice the way he handles the sagebrush in the foreground - short, quick strokes that create a kind of vibrating texture. The way Maggiori builds up the paint gives everything a really tactile feel. Look at the folds in the rider's blanket; you can almost feel the weight of the fabric. And the horse? It’s not just white; it’s got layers of yellows and pinks peeking through, giving it warmth. The painting feels connected to a historical conversation with painters like Frederic Remington, who also mythologized the American West, but Maggiori brings a contemporary eye to these historical themes. It’s a reminder that art is always in dialogue, and that there's always something new to say.