Tom Lea
American 1907-2001
Ghosts at Noon Came Riding/ 1967
Oil on Canvas
Gift of El Paso Art Museum Association Members’ Guild
“Ghost at Noon Came Riding” is a part of the permanent collection at the El Paso Museum of Art. The painter, Tom Lea, was an El Paso born painter, war correspondent, and author. He, naturally, is celebrated at the El Paso Museum and I have enjoyed getting know his work.
The painting “Ghosts at Noon Came Riding” speaks to me because it shows a vivid representation of what the New Mexican desert looked like when the Indian Tribes rode along the mesas. As I am writing this, I am in Albuquerque, New Mexico, four hours north of El Paso. During my trip here, I passed hundreds of miles of land that is as barren, yet picturesque, as those in the painting. It is easy to imagine the Native Americans of old riding along in the distance.
To me, the painting is breathtaking and I spent several moments reflecting on the piece while I was in the museum–which I recommend you visit. It is hard to place the words for the sadness I feel for a time long ago. The men are truly ghosts from another time. They represent and age when they rode through the open country and open air.