A Run For Safety

In A Run for Safety, Shannon Stirnweis captures the urgency and peril of travel in the early American West. A stagecoach races through a rocky river crossing, horses straining and water splashing as passengers flee unseen pursuers. The scene conveys both motion and tension, evoking a time when even ordinary journeys carried real danger and uncertainty.

Known for his meticulous research and deep respect for Western history, Stirnweis brought authenticity and narrative clarity to every composition. His work reflects not only the geography of the frontier but also its lived experience — the risks, resilience, and determination that defined westward expansion. Trained as an illustrator before dedicating himself fully to fine art, Stirnweis became widely recognized for paintings and lithographs collected across the United States and abroad, and for his association with leading organizations such as the Western Artists of America.

Celebrated for their historical accuracy and storytelling power, Stirnweis’ works are held in numerous public, corporate, and private collections. His imagery helped shape the visual understanding of the Old West, and A Run for Safety stands as a vivid example of his ability to combine action, landscape, and narrative into a single dramatic moment.

Edition of 300, signed and numbered by the artist.

Details:
• Date: 1977
• Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil
• Image Size: 15" × 23"
• Paper Size: 22" × 29"
• Condition: Excellent; preserved in protective sleeve, never framed