People, Places, Predicaments: John Clymer’s West

People, Places, Predicaments: John Clymer’s West features over 50 paintings by John Ford Clymer from the Eddie Basha Collection.

Clymer (1907-1989) was an extraordinary artist whose work vividly captured the spirit of exploration and adventure of the American West. In a career that spanned six decades, Clymer was acclaimed for his meticulous depictions of explorers, fur trappers, American Indians of the early 1800s. His paintings offer a fascinating glimpse into this bygone era, bringing to life the courage and resilience of those who ventured into the frontier—celebrating the grandeur of the West and honoring the diverse peoples who shaped its history.

Eddie Basha’s deep appreciation for Clymer started in 1972 when he discovered the artist in Cowboy Artists of America catalogs and began acquiring his work. He met Clymer and his wife Doris in 1974, forging a lasting friendship.

Basha’s renowned collection of over 3000 significant works of Western American and American Indian Art was largely donated to Western Spirit and the Heard Museum in 2023, reflecting Basha’s belief that “art is meant to be shared.” ​

Credit: Overview from museum website