The Longhorn Stampede (from the series: Ars Longa Vita Brevis)
You can argue, I know, that the skull of a Longhorn does not constitute art. At best, it constitutes adornment – it frequently adorns houses in Texas. For what it’s worth, I classify it as folk art, which is why it finds a place in this series.
The Longhorn is a symbol of Texas. As cattle go, is not an “intentional” breed. It was “intelligently designed” by the environs of North America. Its ancestors were the first cattle to set foot on American soil nearly five centuries ago and it evolved in the wild, without much help from either cowboy or indian.
After the buffalo had been marginalized, the Longhorn became the foundation stock for the cattle men, who built the first great industry in North America: the cattle industry. The Longhorn were hardy, adaptable and aggressive, and their skulls looked great, when hung on the wall.
