Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling  

A watercolor painting of a swampy pond surrounded by gold grass with a white barn in the distance.
September 25, 2021–January 9, 2022
Second floor

Have you been to Bass Hall and marveled at the 80-foot mural adorning its dome? It was designed by Fort Worth artists Scott and Stuart Gentling. Brothers and lifelong artistic collaborators, their artistic interests spanned centuries and continents, resulting in a varied body of work that ranges from emulations of naturalist-artists like John James Audubon to imagined visualizations of the Aztec empire. In the first-ever comprehensive retrospective of the brothers’ work, Imagined Realism explores their distinct style that defied the movements of their times. Featuring more than 150 works and archival objects, this exhibition marks a multiyear effort to situate their visionary artistic careers on the national stage of the larger art world in which they worked.

Explore Imagined Realism from the comfort of your home with our virtual exhibition tour!

Stuart Gentling

Snowy Owl, ca. 1997

Graphite, opaque and transparent watercolor on paper

A detailed watercolor painting of a white owl with black stripes perched on a branch.

Scott Gentling

Bird Cage, 1965

graphite, opaque and transparent watercolor on paper

A watercolor painting of a domed birdcage sitting on top of a cardboard box; light cast a shadow of the birdcage onto the wall behind it.

Stuart Gentling

[Landscape with pond and barn], ca. 1979

graphite, opaque and transparent watercolor on paper

A watercolor painting of a swampy pond surrounded by gold grass with a white barn in the distance.

Scott Gentling

Fog, n.d.

Graphite, opaque and transparent watercolor on paper

2015.17

A realistic watercolor painting of an elderly Black man and woman sitting inside a home surrounded by boxes of clothing.

Stuart Gentling

Red Coats, ca. 1994

Graphite, opaque and transparent watercolor on paper

A detailed watercolor painting of two 18th-century red military jacket, one on a mannequin and the other on the back of a chair on which sits a tricorn hat.

Scott Gentling

Dogs, 1964

Etching

2020.4

A black-and-white print of two dogs outside of a row of wood shacks.

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Installation Photos

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Past Events

Tour | Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling 

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 3 p.m. September 26-January 9
A watercolor painting of a domed birdcage sitting on top of a cardboard box; light cast a shadow of the birdcage onto the wall behind it.

Second Thursdays at the Carter: Local & Legendary

Thursday, December 9, 2021, 5–8 p.m.
"Second Thursdays at the Carter"

Gentling Symposium

Saturday, November 13, 2021, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Black and white photo of two light-skinned men with dark hair sitting on what looks like a porch; the man on the left is wearing a light-colored, short-sleeved polo and has his arms resting on his knees with his left hand resting on his right wrist; the man on the right is wearing a black turtleneck, he has a beard and mustache and is sitting in a similar position; they both look off to their left

Tea & Tours

Tuesdays, October 5, 12, and 19, 2021, 3-4:30 p.m.
A table with two Museum catalogues, a sculpture, and a tray with tea cups.

Educator Workshop: A Closer Look at American History

Saturday, October 16, 2021, 1–3 p.m.
A realistic watercolor painting of an elderly Black man and woman sitting inside a home surrounded by boxes of clothing.

Carter Playdate:  I Wonder ... 

Saturday, October 16, 2021, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
A toddler uses colored pencils to draw on paper.

Itty-Bitty Art: Touch and Feel 

Saturday, October 16, 2021, 10–11 a.m.
baby and mom sitting on the floor playing

Toddler Studio: Dress-up Day 

Saturday, October 2, 2021, 11 a.m.–noon
Two children at the Carter dressed in costumes.

Member Preview Days | Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling

Friday, September 24, 2021, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
A watercolor painting of a swampy pond surrounded by gold grass with a white barn in the distance.

From the Shop

Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling

The first comprehensive publication featuring the art and lives of brothers Scott and Stuart Gentling, two visionary Texas artists whose lifelong creative output captured an amazing array of subjects. By the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, foreword by Ed Ruscha.

"Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling" exhibition catalogue cover.
All Exhibitions

Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling is organized by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The exhibition is generously supported by Edward P. Bass, founding champion and supporter of the Gentling Study Center at the Carter.