Johnny Snowcap (Primary Title)
Richard McLean, American, 1934 - 2014 (Artist)
Based on a black-and-white photograph originally printed in Appaloosa News magazine, this painting of a prize-winning horse, his owner, and a show judge exemplifies Richard McLean’s interest in life outside the city limits. Seeking to connect hisart to childhood experiences in the rural American Northwest and to recuperate animal subjects largely ignored by 20th-century artists, McLean painted cows and chickens until he arrived at the subject that would dominate his career: the horse. The horse recurs as a monumental presence throughout McLean’s work, while human figures usually appear more artificial in their appearance and demeanor.
lower right canvas, "McLean"
upper left back of canvas "RICHARD McLEAN / "JOHNNY SNOWCAP" 1971 / OIL / C 60 3/4 x 72 3/4"
Sydney and Frances Lewis Contemporary Art Fund
Chrome Dreams and Infinite Reflections: American Photorealism, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, July 15 - December 31, 2022
1985: Peninsula Arts Association, May 1985 - February 1986
1982: "Art of the Seventies", Danville Museum of Art and History, Danville, VA, February 25 - March 25, 1982; Walter Cecil Rawls Museum and Library, Courtland, VA, September 15 - October 14, 1982.
1980: "American Figure Painting, 1950-1980", The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, October 16 - November 30, 1980
1979: "Sydney & Frances Lewis", VMFA, January 16 - March 4, 1979
1976 - 77: South Texas Artmobile, August 1976 - May, 1977
1976: VMFA Traveling Exhibition SP-24, February - April 1976
1975: "Images of Reality", F&M, Richmond, February - March, 1975
1975: "Contemporary Selections": Museum of South Texas, October 9 - November 30, 1975
1972: "Contemporary Realists", Cleveland Institute of Art; New York Cultural Center, October-November, 1972.
1985: Peninsula Arts Association, May 1985 - February 1986
1982: "Art of the Seventies", Danville Museum of Art and History, Danville, VA, February 25 - March 25, 1982; Walter Cecil Rawls Museum and Library, Courtland, VA, September 15 - October 14, 1982.
1980: "American Figure Painting, 1950-1980", The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, October 16 - November 30, 1980
1979: "Sydney & Frances Lewis", VMFA, January 16 - March 4, 1979
1976 - 77: South Texas Artmobile, August 1976 - May, 1977
1976: VMFA Traveling Exhibition SP-24, February - April 1976
1975: "Images of Reality", F&M, Richmond, February - March, 1975
1975: "Contemporary Selections": Museum of South Texas, October 9 - November 30, 1975
1972: "Contemporary Realists", Cleveland Institute of Art; New York Cultural Center, October-November, 1972.
©artist or artist’s estate
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.