Wild Horse Hunters [No. 2] 1913

Charles M. Russell made this gorgeous oil painting of wild horse hunters in the American West. Just look at the scene, full of life and action, all rendered with such skill. I imagine Russell out there, squinting at the sun, watching the drama unfold and trying to capture it all on canvas. I bet it was a challenge figuring out how to get that feeling of movement and energy, like a dance of chaos. The horses and riders blend together in a cloud of dust and motion. I see these broad, sweeping brushstrokes, especially in the landscape. They give it a dreamy, almost surreal quality. The muted colors add to the sense of nostalgia, like looking back at a time that’s both exciting and a little bit sad. And yet, it’s all about the horses, isn’t it? The way they’re positioned, leaping and galloping, tells a story of freedom and struggle. It reminds me of other artists, like Delacroix, who were fascinated by horses and their wild spirit. Artists, we're always looking to each other, aren’t we?