Riding a Bull
1915
Elling William Gollings captures the raw, dusty energy of the American West in this dynamic 1915 scene. A cowboy, balanced precariously on a dark, bucking bull, throws his hat high in a triumphant gesture, his body twisted with the motion. The loose, energetic brushstrokes make the action feel immediate and chaotic, while a second rider watches from the hazy background. Gollings, who actually lived as a cowboy in Montana before becoming an artist, knew exactly how to paint the grit and motion of frontier life, giving this piece an authentic, rugged feel.