Melvin Charles Warren (Texas / California, 1920-1995), cowboy with lasso scene, ink and gouache on paper, circa 1968

sight: 10 x 8 in., frame: 17 x 14.5 in.

Provenance: Property from a prominent South Texas estate collection; proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit the Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas

For western art to achieve the distinction of fine art, it must first satisfy an artistic criteria and only then deal with the particularity of western subject matter. Melvin Warren understands this concept. His work is an accomplished artistic statement that also presents images which are faithful to western reality. After service in World War II, Warren entered Texas Christian University and received a degree in fine arts. These paintings and the process of creating them encouraged Warren to seek a gallery outlet. The subtle sensitivity to his subject matter and an obvious control of the technical elements of painting made his work readily acceptable to a broad range of collectors. He became a special favorite of Lyndon Johnson who ultimately acquired many Warren oils.