Buffalo Coat 1908

Charles Russell made this painting, Buffalo Coat, sometime around 1905. The ochre ground, the browns and creams of the fort, and the red of the figure’s pants create a limited, earthy palette; it's all very process-oriented, very grounded, like the act of building itself. Looking closely, you can see how Russell handled the paint. It’s loose, almost scrubbed on, and the brushstrokes feel gestural and intuitive. There’s a sense of movement, particularly in the figure’s clothing, which contrasts with the solid, vertical logs of the fort. I really love the shadow to the right of the figure. It’s a bold stroke of dark brown that defines the space and adds depth to the composition. It’s this tension between solid form and fluid brushwork that gives the painting its energy. Reminds me a bit of Frederic Remington, but more painterly, more open to the possibilities of the medium. It’s a piece that invites you to look beyond the subject and appreciate the simple act of painting.