A special Christmas cover by cowboy artist George Phippen.
WH Cover, December 1957
The 1957 cover of Western Horseman featured artwork by Arizona artist George Phippen, and the cover description reads,
“The young cowboy on this month’s cover is in for one of life’s biggest thrills in just a few moments. Dad and “Grampaw” have really done things up right, from beginning to end, and you can bet there will be a new top hand riding with them from now when there’s work to be done on the ranch. Arizona artist George Phippen captured this warm Christmas theme.”
George Phippen was a painter and sculptor who inspired several generations of Western artists with his style, choice of subject matter and sense of humor. He was a founding member and the first president of the Cowboy Artists of America and was committed to documenting horses, cowboys and ranch life. In 1984 the Phippen Museum opened in Phoenix, Arizona, to honor his talent and inspiration. According to their website, “The Museum’s ongoing mission is to preserve and exhibit museum quality Western art and educate the public about the unique heritage, history, legends and influence of art of the American West.”
