The artwork on view at the American Museum of Western Art represents a cross section of paintings that survey the art of the American West from the early 19th century through the age of industrialization. During the relatively short period of history illustrated by this collection, the West was transformed from Indian territory unknown to most inhabitants of the eastern United States into a settled region. Within only 90 years after the Louisiana Purchase, the “Old West” of Indian buffalo hunters, mountain men, pioneers, gold-seekers, and open-range cowboys had passed into history.American Museum of Western Art is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , world travel planner Edition.
Prior to its installation in the Navarre building in 1999, selections from The Anschutz Collection were widely exhibited throughout the United States and were also shown in Canada (Calgary), in Europe (Helsinki, Brussels, Munich, London, Paris, and Vienna), in the People’s Republic of China (Beijing and Shanghai), and in the former Soviet Union (Moscow, Novosibirsk, Tbilisi, and Leningrad).
In addition to extensive exhibitions across the United States and abroad, 110 paintings from the Collection were exhibited at the Denver Art Museum in 2000 under the title “Painters and the American West”. While paintings from The Anschutz Collection have on occasion been loaned to other institutions for exhibition, the Collection remained private and unavailable for public viewing until 2010 when the American Museum of Western Art was founded as its permanent home.
The Anschutz Collection surveys the history of the development of American Art as it pertains to the West and provides examples from all of the schools that contributed to that development.
Source
Create an itinerary including American Museum of Western Art
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
American Museum of Western Art reviews
-
I can't call this a hidden gem, because it is located across the street from the Brown Palace Hotel, and not too difficult to find. This brick house holds 3 floors of western art and several rooms... more »
-
There are not enough superlatives to do justice to this small gem of an art museum. Located in downtown Denver, the American Museum of Western Art houses the collection of Philip Anschutz, a... more »
-
Thanks to the Anschutz family for making such a magnificent collection available for public viewing. In addition to their value as fine art, the paintings—mostly oils—have historic importance as depictions of life in the West prior to photographs or when photography was still in its infancy. Just a couple of drawbacks: The building, though charming, is too small for the collection, so that the paintings are crammed literally from floor-to-ceiling. This makes it hard to get a good view of paintings that are too high or too low. Moreover, the lighting relies mostly on traditional spotlights that create shiny bright spots on some of the works, especially those near the ceiling. Nevertheless, a memorable and worthwhile experience!
-
Beautiful place with tons of amazing art, really enjoyed the audio walkthrough. Parking is a little difficult if you don't want to shell out 20 bucks but I lucked into finding 2 hour street parking just down the street. Entrance is cheap, very worth it.
Plan your trip to Denver
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesBook it
Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% offManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Denver
Side trips from Denver
Museums in Denver
Hidden gems in Denver
Breweries & Distilleries in Denver
Trips to American Museum of Western Art by other users
5 days in Denver
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Denver
22 days in Denver
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Ralph L. Carr Colorado Justice Center
Center for Colorado Women's History at the Byers-Evans House
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
15 days in Denver
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Dinosaur Ridge
Bear Creek Lake Park
Chatfield State Park
47 days in Continental USA
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Albuquerque
Oklahoma City
Memphis
22 days in Denver
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Beer Tastings & Tours
16th Street Mall
Trinity United Methodist Church
20 days in Denver
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Argo Mill and Tunnel
Capital Prize Gold Mine Tour
Hotel de Paris Museum