George Phippen: The Soul of the American West George Phippen (July 11, 1915 – April 13, 1966) was an Arizona sculptor and painter whose evocative depictions of cowboys, cattle, and landscapes cemented his place as a pivotal figure in Western art. Born in Charles City, Iowa, he emerged from humble beginnings—a cowboy upbringing in Kansas—to become one of the most celebrated artists of his generation, shaping the visual language of the American frontier. Despite lacking formal artistic training, Phippen possessed an innate talent and unwavering dedication to capturing the spirit of the West, a…