Joe De Yong (1894-1975) was an American sculptor, etcher, and historical consultant for Western movies. His sculptures and etchings depicted the Old West, including Native Americans and cowboys, as well as polo players.

Joe De Yong
Born
Joseph Franklin de Yong

1894
Died1975
Occupation(s)Sculptor, etcher, historical consultant

Early life

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De Yong was born in 1894 in Webster Groves, Missouri.[1] He grew up in Washington County, Oklahoma.[1]

Career

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De Yong began his career by working on Western movies in Hollywood alongside silent actor Tom Mix.[1] From 1916 to 1926, he worked for Western artist Charles M. Russell in Montana and California.[1][2] He also worked on Howard Eaton's ranch in Wyoming.[1][2]

De Yong subsequently moved to Santa Barbara, California, where he worked alongside Edward Borein and Maynard Dixon.[1] He was the official artist of the rancheros visitadores, an equestrian social club in Santa Barbara.[3]

De Yong returned to the movie industry as a costume designer and historical consultant in the 1930s-1950s. He worked on The Plainsman in 1937,[4] Union Pacific in 1939, Buffalo Bill in 1944, Red River in 1948, and Shane 1953.[5]

De Yong's etchings depicted the Old West, including Native Americans and cowboys, as well as polo players.[3]

Death and legacy

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De Yong died in 1975 in Los Angeles, California.[1] His work can be seen at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Will Rogers Museum in Oklahoma, and the William S. Hart Museum in California.[3]

De Yong's friend,[5] Richard J. Flood, inherited his estate and became an art dealer.[6]

Further reading

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  • Reynolds, William (2018). Joe De Yong: A Life in the West. Santa Ynez, California: Alamar Media. ISBN 9780989070164. OCLC 1077775611.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Talk: Joe De Yong: A Life in the West". Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Montana Artist Is On Way To Success". The Billings Weekly Gazette. Billings, Montana. August 14, 1923. p. 12. Retrieved December 12, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Work of Joe De Yong featured in gallery". Santa Maria Times. Santa Maria, California. September 15, 1976. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Gagliasso, Dan (Autumn 2000). "Joe De Yong and Hollywood". Montana: The Magazine of Western History. 50 (3): 2 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ a b "Images from the Joe De Yong & Richard J. Flood Collection". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  6. ^ "Western art dealer, collector Flood dies". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Montana. September 23, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved December 12, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.