The Attack 1897

Charles M. Russell made "The Attack" using oil paint on canvas, materials that were by his time very established in the fine arts. Look at the way Russell has deployed them here. The furious action is captured with quite loose, expressive brushwork. This infuses the whole scene with a feeling of raw, untamed energy. It also allows him to suggest detail, like the plumes of the headdresses, without actually describing them. He was acutely aware of the historical processes he was depicting. Consider the stagecoach itself, a key vehicle of commerce and expansion, contrasted with the Native Americans defending their territory. It invites a broader reflection on the historical tensions and the displacement that came with westward expansion. So, when you look at a painting like this, remember that the materials and the making are not neutral. They bring their own histories to the image. They also allow the artist to comment, directly or indirectly, on the complex social context in which they were working.