African American Cowgirl Nellie Brown Circa 1880

Nellie Brown was an African American cowgirl in the 1880s. Only a little is known about her other than a photograph that pops up from time to time. I found it interesting that roughly a third of cowboys of the era were black, and very little is known about how many black women were working cowgirls in the ranks.

Graphite on toned heavy Arches watercolor paper 22x30”