Got a chance to visit the Dallas Museum of Art last week to see them rewinding time in Dallas back to the early 1950’s. The exhibit features a series of watercolors showcasing the city as well as several local history lessons. Artist, George Grosz, was commissioned to complete a series of works by Leon Harris, of the then A. Harris department store, for the store’s anniversary. (I learned some more Dallas department store pedigree, via mergers and buyouts; A. Harris -> Sanger-Harris -> Foley’s -> Macy’s.)

A great overview of Grosz’s life and works leading up to his first visit to Dallas greets you as you enter the exhibit. Dallas was in the early stages of going supernova, as the exhibit and art highlights. Cattle, cotton and oil were the driving forces of the Dallas economy with banking quickly becoming the dominate industry. Several iconic Dallas buildings were noted in the historical presentations with digital slides from various years, the friendly Mercantile, Theater Row on Elm, Adolphus Hotel and Old Red were among them.

It is inspiring to see Dallas as the subject matter for Grosz’s impressive and unique watercolor skills. Thanks DMA for showcasing these meaningful works and terrific display of Dallas’s past.

Flower of the Prairie: George Grosz in Dallas: The exhibit is open until August 19th at the Dallas Museum of Art.