This bronze sculpture is a life-size depiction
of a cowboy riding a horse. It was sculpted
by Constance Warren in the early 1900s as a
tribute to the “rough and romantic riders of
the range.” The Cowboy sculpture received
an honorable mention at the Paris Salon, the
once official art exhibition of Paris. The
sculpture is currently installed next to the
Texas State Capitol as a monument to the
“native home of the cowboy” in Austin,
Texas, USA.
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends
cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of
other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century became a figure
of special significance and legend.
The cowboy has deep historic roots tracing back to the earliest European settlers of America.
Beginning in the 1920s and continuing to the present day, Western movies (movies devoted to
telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American West. The
Western genre portrays the conquest of the wilderness and the subordination of nature in the
name of civilization) popularized the cowboy lifestyle but also formed persistent stereotypes,
both positive and negative. In some cases, the cowboy and the violent gunfights are often
associated with one another. On the other hand, some actors who portrayed cowboys promoted
positive values, such as the "cowboy code" that encouraged honorable behavior, respect and
patriotism.
True or False
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The sculpture is about 60 years old
The sculpture is in Washington
Hollywood movies popularized the cowboy lifestyle
Traditionally a cowboy is a violent gunfighter
The American cowboy has deep historic roots
On July 24, 1952, the statue of Robin Hood was unveiled in Nottingham Castle, Nottingham,
England.
500 people watched the ceremony, as the statue was revealed to the public, accompanied by a
fanfare from the band of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
Gifted to the city by local businessman Philip Clay, the
impressive figure was intended to provide something tangible
for visitors to see relating to Robin Hood, Nottingham's
world-famous folk hero. But even the visionary Mr Clay
would be surprised at the important role the statue has played
over the past 60 years.
Throughout the last 60 years the statue has become an iconic
image of Robin Hood that has graced the covers of hundreds
of newspapers and magazines around the world – all giving
valuable free publicity for the city.
Apart from the millions of visitors who have taken their
traditional souvenir photo at the statue, it has also provided
the ideal location for numerous celebrity photo shoots.
From the first female Prime Minister of the UK Margaret
Thatcher who filmed a Conservative Party political broadcast
there to nude model Alana Brownley who posed next to Robin for a Playboy magazine photo
shoot.
The statue has appeared on the front page of the New York Times and the image has been copied
and adapted thousands of times and often used by local companies to promote their goods and
services. The statue has been pictured with a guitar around its neck to promote a rock concert
and even wearing one of the trendy, coloured leather satchels that are sold at the local store.
True or False
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The statue of more than 100 years old
The statue was gifted to the city by a local businessman
The statue was unveiled on June 14
Once the image of the statue was used to promote a rock concert
The British Prime Minister posed next to the statue for the New York Times photo shoot
Complete the sentences
1……sculpted the Cowboy Statue as…..in the early 1900s
2. The statue of Robin Hood has appeared on…………around the world
3. Philip Clay gifted the statue to the city of Nottingham to provide…..
4. The Cowboy Statue is installed…….
5. The image of……… has been used by…….to promote their goods and services
6. The statue of Robin Hood has proved to be the ideal location for…
7. Robin Hood is Nottingham’s world-famous…………