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Vaquero

Crafted of polychrome fiberglass, this 16-foot-tall sculpture is a tribute to the Mexican cowboy, or “vaquero,” of the American West. Luis Alfonso Jimenez (1940-2006) was born in El Paso, Texas, where he learned some of the craftsmanship used in his artwork while working in his father’s sign shop. His sculptures, which celebrate Hispanic culture, have a distinctive appearance and often feature bright colors, slick surfaces, and fluid lines.

ArtistLuis Alfonso Jiménez(1940-2006)
Datemodeled 1980, cast 1987-1988
MediumPolychrome fiberglass
Dimensions6 x 144 x 122 in. (502.9 x 365.8 x 309.9 cm)
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2011.29
ClassificationSculpture
ProvenanceArtist; to Frank K. Ribelin [1933-2010], TX; to Estate of Frank K. Ribelin, TX, 2010; to (Moody Gallery, Houston, TX); purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2011
On ViewYes
Vaquero6 × 144 in.Tennis Ball2.7 in. diameter

This artwork's face covers about 119× the area of a tennis ball.Drawn to the same scale.