Lewis and Clark Meeting Indians at Ross' Hole 1912

Charles M. Russell made this painting of Lewis and Clark meeting Native Americans with oil on canvas. Looking at it, I'm struck by how Russell uses color to create a real sense of depth. The way the grassy foreground is built up with thick, textured strokes, full of greens and browns, makes you feel like you could reach out and touch it. And the details, from the Native American’s clothing to the horses' manes, are rendered with such care. But it’s not just about what's depicted; it's about how the paint itself is applied. Check out the sky, it dissolves into soft blues and pinks, a dreamlike contrast to the earthy tones below. Russell's painting reminds me a bit of Frederic Remington's work, both artists capturing the spirit of the American West. But Russell's looser brushwork and more impressionistic approach sets him apart, giving his paintings a sense of movement and life that is truly captivating. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation.