Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy

Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy
March 20–July 10, 2026
Explore the deep roots of cowboy culture through photographs by distinguished Texas photographer and writer Bill Wittliff. The exhibition highlights the enduring traditions of vaqueros—Mexican horsemen whose skills, tools, and working methods shaped ranching life in Texas and the American West. Through documentary-style images and bilingual interpretation, visitors gain insight into daily ranch work, horsemanship, and the cultural exchange that gave rise to an enduring symbol of the region.
Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy is curated by The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University and presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Right: Photograph by Bill Wittliff, 1971.