The Apaches! 

Frederic Remington made "The Apaches!" using oil paint, with a focus on capturing a scene from the American West. Remington applied the paint in a way that gives texture and movement, particularly noticeable in the horse and the landscape, to create a sense of immediacy. This work reflects Remington’s training as an artist, his skills as an illustrator, and his deep investment in romanticizing the West. Consider the social context of the time: Remington was working in an era when the "Wild West" was being tamed. This painting exoticizes violence and simplifies a complex history into a scene of conflict. Look at the figures, the gestures, and the quick brushstrokes – all done with the knowledge of creating a marketable image. Paintings like this reflect a larger process of myth-making that turned historical events into commodities. By focusing on the materials and processes of its making, we can see how images can be tools, shaping our understanding of history.