Iconic Lone Star paintings on display at Baylor’s Martin Museum

Baylor’s roots in Texas run deep. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas (seeing that never gets old), Baylor University has been there for many of the iconic moments in the Lone Star State’s history. Thus it’s fitting that paintings of many of the most important moments in Texas history would find their way to Baylor.

Through Sept. 21, Baylor’s Martin Museum of Art is host to a large collection of paintings by Henry McArdle, a former Baylor professor and artist whose works are some of the most recognizable images of Texas history — many of which have found a home in the Texas State Capitol in Austin. “Henry A. McArdle: Texas Painter, Patriot, and Baylor Professor” is the largest collection of McArdle’s works ever to be shown together. The exhibit includes two works regularly on display at the State Capitol, including a painting of Stephen F. Austin that has never before left the Capitol’s grounds.

McArdle’s ascension to a place among the most recognizable painters of Texana began at Baylor, where he served from 1871-85. Baylor president William Carey Crane recommended his professor’s work to the governor, who was seeking decor for the then brand-new Texas Capitol, and the rest is history.

You may not know it, but there’s a good chance you’ve already seen some of his paintings around Baylor. The iconic portraits of our first five presidents (as well as Judge R.E.B. Baylor) were all painted by McArdle, who went on to paint well-known works like “Dawn at the Alamo” and “Lee at the Wilderness.” Take a look and see if you recognize some of McArdle’s most famous works, then go check them out at Baylor’s Martin Museum.

Sic ’em, Martin Museum of Art and Henry McArdle!