He’s considered to be one of America’s preeminent Western artists.
And, he lived, and worked in Santa Barbara for most of his life. But, he’s now mostly forgotten outside of the art community.
"Edward Borein was one of the finest western American artists of his generation," said B. Byron Price.
Price is one of the leading experts on art of the American West. He’s author of the new book "Edward Borein: Etched By The West.”
"He became a celebrated artist well known from coast to coast," said Price.
Price says Borein worked in different mediums, but was best know for his watercolors and etchings of Native Americans, California Missions, and cowboy life.
Price says the artist knew his subject well. He says Borein lived the western life, working on ranches as a vaquero for several years.
The artist lived from 1872 to 1945, but Price says Borein really hit his stride in the 1920’s.
"He once showed his work at the Penguin Gallery in New York City with Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera," said Price. "He was hanging with pretty good company."
Price was a University of Oklahoma professor. He recently retired as Director of the University of Oklahoma’s Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of the American West. He noted there was only one biographical book at Borein, written in the 1970’s, and felt the artist deserved a new look.
Some of Borein’s work is being featured in an exhibition called “Borein And His Circle of Friends” running at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. More than two dozen of his watercolors are on display. There are also works from 20 of his friends in a related exhibition.
