The Cowboy
1900
Charles Marion Russell, known as the 'Cowboy Artist,' captures the rugged spirit of the American West in this striking figure study. We see a lone cowboy standing in profile, decked out in the full gear of the trade: a wide-brimmed hat, a bandana, and a heavy belt with a revolver. He holds a lasso casually, looking off into the distance, while a tiny, energetic sketch at his feet shows the action he's likely thinking about—chasing down a steer. Russell didn't just paint the West; he lived it as a cowboy in Montana, giving his work a gritty authenticity that helped define the mythos of the frontier and paved the way for American Regionalism.
Views: 2