Tribute to Range Riders, (sculpture).

Tribute to Range Riders, (sculpture).

Warren, Constance Whitney, 1888-1948, sculptor.

Jaboeuf & Rouard Fondeurs, founder.

Tribute to Range Riders, (sculpture).

Copyrighted 1926. Installed 1929. Dedicated Nov. 14, 1957.

Sculpture: cast bronze; Base: Oklahoma pink granite.

Sculpture: approx. 13 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. 6 in.; Upper base: approx. 7 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. 6 in. x 9 in.; Lower base: approx. H. 18 in.

(On base:) Constance W. Warren (On bronze plaque on front of base:) THIS STATUE WAS FURNISHED BY/CONSTANCE WHITNEY WARREN,/SCULPTRESS OF PARIS, FRANCE AND NEW YORK,/AND WAS PRESENTED TO/THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA BY THE DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN ARTIST THROUGH/THE SOLICITATION OF/JUSTICE ALBERT C. HUNT/OF/THE SUPREME COURT OF OKLAHOMA/AND/CHARLES CASON/OF NEW YORK./THIS BRONZE TRIBUTE TO THE ROMANTIC RIDERS OF THE RANGE/WAS UNVEILED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF/GOVERNOR W. J. HOLLOWAY AND OKLAHOMA'S OWN WILL ROGERS/IN THE PRESENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES/ON MAY 30, 1930 signed

A cowboy astride a bucking horse that stands on its hind legs with its front legs raised. Beneath its back legs is a prickly pear cactus. The cowboy is dressed in wooly chaps, boots with spurs, and a western shirt. He holds his hat with his proper left hand and with both hands he grips the horse's reins.

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Other -- Cowboy

Object -- Foliage -- Cactus

Outdoor Sculpture -- Oklahoma -- Oklahoma City

Administered by State of Oklahoma, Department of Central Services, 2401 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 206, P. O. Box 53218, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152

Located Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, South entry plaza, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The artist donated the sculpture to the State of Oklahoma; the Oklahoma state legislature appropriated $7,500 for the installation. Although the inscription on the bronze base plaque gives the dedication date as May 30, 1930, the sculpture was not actually dedicated until 1957. Humorist Will Rogers was unable to attend the dedication scheduled for May 30, 1930, and the tarpaulin covering sculpture was not removed, pending a reschedule of the dedication. However, Rogers did not reschedule, and in the meantime, the governorship passed to William Henry Murray in 1931. He, too, did not allow the tarpaulin to be removed, pending a reschedule with Will Rogers. Pranksters uncovered the sculpture several times, prompting Governor Murray to padlock down the tarpaulin and post a sign offering $500 for information leading to the arrest of anyone unveiling the sculpture except Will Rogers. Murray's term ended in 1935, and Will Rogers died in 1936, without dedicating the sculpture. At some point the tarpaulin was removed, though that part of the story is unknown. Eventually, a dedication ceremony was held on Nov. 14, 1957. IAS files contain an article dated March 17, 1957.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Oklahoma survey, 1994.

SOS Assessment Award, 1999.

SOS Conservation Treatment Award, 2000.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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