Charles Russell And Frederic Remington's The Fall Of The Cowboy

Charles Russell and Frederic Remington were artists well-known for their depiction of the Old West. Using posters, oil on canvas, and bronze as mediums, they provide an extensive journey from 1888 to 1909 revealing the atmosphere in association with the West. The expansion West provided an opportunity for the United States to not only grow as a nation, but to explore new territories for resources, land, and settlement. In relation, the closing of the frontier in 1890 signified the result of development, which brought Indians and Americans closer together. Sharing the land would prove difficult and create tensions as seen in some of the illustrations, despite the last Indian wars ending about a decade prior. The West is romanticized in a manner that creates a stereotype that exemplifies the idea of cowboys and Indians. In addition, these images deliver the story of changing roles and adaptation to new circumstances while seamlessly integrating the relationship between diverse cultures. Beginning with the earliest piece (Lost in a Snowstorm-We Are Friends, Charles Russell, 1888) an encounter between cowboys and Indians lost in a snowstorm illustrates the …show more content…
By this time, the life of a cowboy was threatened and coming to an end with the introduction of the railroad. This new mode of transportation allowed for easier delivery of cattle, reducing the need for cattle drives. Furthermore, with new settlers establishing homes on land that was once used as pasture for the animals, the imposition would create complications for the cowboys. In this painting two cowboys are out trying to get to their cattle, but must go through newly constructed gates and fences to reach them. The cool dark colors used create a feeling of sorrow and pity for the cowboys who seem to be having their livelihood ripped away from