Crossing the Missouri, #1 1902

Charles M. Russell created this watercolour painting, Crossing the Missouri, evoking the shimmering, almost ethereal expanse of the Missouri river. I can imagine Russell outdoors, carefully observing the landscape, the light, and the figures. The brushstrokes are delicate and fluid, capturing the reflections on the water, the texture of the mountains, and the details of the Native Americans crossing the river. I imagine how he painstakingly layered the washes of color to build up the atmospheric perspective, creating a sense of depth and distance. Look how the ochre and burnt sienna hues of the riders’ clothing contrast with the cool blues and grays of the mountains. The bold red accents on the lead rider draw your eye in. The mountains in the background are softened with a pale grey, creating a hazy effect and suggesting the vastness of the Western landscape. Artists like Russell create a visual conversation across time, each adding their voice to the ongoing exploration of the world through paint. His work reminds us that painting is an act of seeing and feeling.