Arturo Mercado (Texas, 1938-2015), cowboy near adobe home in the desert, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, 1971

sight: 30 x 36 in., frame: 38.5 x 44.5 in.

Provenance: Property from a home in Spring Branch, Texas; originally purchased from art dealer in San Antonio, Texas, circa 1978 by the present owner

Arturo Mercado was a Texas-based artist best known for his depictions of the Texas Hill Country, Western scenes, Native American subjects, and wildlife. Originally working in oils before transitioning to opaque watercolors in 1973 and later returning to oils, Mercado built a long-standing career as a full-time artist beginning in 1970. He gained recognition through numerous solo exhibitions across Texas and Florida and was a regular participant in the Laguna Gloria Art Show in Austin for 25 years. Mercado also operated his own galleries under the name "Los Mercados" in various Texas locations, showcasing both his work and that of his sons.