Days on the Range 1902

Frederic Remington made this painting of cowboys on the range, likely with oil on canvas, though I can only guess. Remington's application of paint is so interesting here. It's fairly thin, not overworked, and the palette is limited, mostly blacks, whites, and grays. It's so direct, almost like he’s trying to capture a fleeting thought. I keep looking at the dust under the horse's hooves. Those quick strokes suggest movement and a gritty texture, like you could reach out and feel the dry earth. The whole piece has a sense of immediacy, like a snapshot. It reminds me of some of the paintings of Manet, especially in how he captured modern life with such honesty and vigor. Remington isn't trying to create a perfectly polished scene, but rather something authentic, a slice of life with all its roughness and beauty.