Exhibitions

Lonesome Dove

Crossing the Rio Grande, © 1988, Bill Wittliff. From the making of the miniseries Lonesome Dove, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Larry McMurtry.

"The pictures that Bill Wittliff took on the set of the movie have a stand-alone ghostly authority. The same creative power and conviction that allowed Larry McMurtry to transform his workaday scenario into one of the greatest novels of our time, and that transformed that novel into the greatest western movie ever made, are on display in Bill Wittliff's photographs." 

- Stephen Harrigan

Exhibition

Lonesome Dove—Larry McMurtry’s epic novel of two aging Texas Rangers who drive a herd of stolen cattle 2,500 miles from the Rio Grande to Montana to found the first ranch there—captured the public imagination and has never let it go. The Lonesome Dove miniseries, which first aired on CBS in 1989, lassoed an even wider audience.

Capturing the sweeping visual imagery of the original miniseries, the Lonesome Dove exhibition presents classic images taken during filming by Bill Wittliff, renowned photographer, writer, and executive producer (with Suzanne De Passe) of Lonesome Dove. The images, however, are worlds apart from ordinary production stills, depicting an extraordinary union of art, literature, and history.

Lonesome Dove, a wall-hanging exhibition that features fifty-five framed and matted sepia tone photographs, is created by the Wittliff Collections at the Alkek Library, Texas State University, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Exhibition Format

Wall-hanging

LanguageEnglish
Content55 framed, sepia toned photographs
6 text panels
Space Requirements170 linear feet of wall space
Shipping Weight and DimensionsTravels in 4 wooden crates
  • 30” x 41” x 37” - 305 lbs.
  • 15” x 55” x 47” - 212 lbs.
  • 25” x 43” x 32” - 205 lbs.
  • 24” x 30” x 33” - 130 lbs.
Rental Fee*$1500*
Rental Period6 weeks

*Rental fees are based primarily on the cost of shipping. Prices may vary based on current fuel surcharges or venue location within the state of Texas. Out-of-state rentals are priced on an individual basis. Please call for a rental fee quote specific to your venue.

Press Release

Lonesome Dove press release

Publicity image

A publicity image is available for promoting this exhibition at your venue. Please contact the exhibitions coordinator to request an electronic file of this image. Please allow 2-3 business days for the exhibitions coordinator to process your request.

Humanities Texas logos

Logo files are also available for download from the logo page.

Book Now or Receive a Quote

To book an exhibition or receive a quote, please complete the online rental form.

Questions and Rental Information

Call 512.440.1991 or email
exhibitions@humanitiestexas.org

2023-2024 Bookings

Wichita Falls Public Library
Wichita Falls, TX
08/29/2023 - 10/10/2023

Panola Carthage
Carthage, TX
01/29/2024 - 03/08/2024

River Valley Pioneer Museum
Canadian, TX
05/20/2024 - 07/08/2024

The Bryan Museum
Galveston, TX
07/19/2024 - 08/25/2024

Old Post Office Museum & Art Center
Graham, TX
09/02/2024 - 10/26/2024

On Display

Gus and Call on the Mesa, © 1988, Bill Wittliff. The Lonesome Dove miniseries stars Robert Duvall as Augustus McCrae and Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow Call. The Oscar-winning actors portray aging Texas Rangers who lead an epic cattle drive from Texas to Montana in the late 1800s.
Stolen Horses, © 1988, Bill Wittliff. From the making of the miniseries Lonesome Dove, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Larry McMurtry.