Untitled (Cowboy) is a classic example of Prince's appropriation of advertising imagery. By removing the commercial context, he highlights the constructed nature of these images and their role in shaping American mythology and masculinity. The work also raises questions about authorship and copyright.
Born: August 6, 1949, Panama Canal Zone
Nationality: American
Style: Appropriation Art, Photography
Influences: Mass media, advertising, American culture
Major Exhibitions: "Untitled (Cowboy)" (1989), "Spiritual America" (1983), "Nurse Paintings" (2000s)
Quote: "I'm interested in the way images circulate and acquire meaning."
This work is a re-photograph of a Marlboro cigarette advertisement. Prince cropped the image to remove the text and branding, leaving only the image of the rugged cowboy.
