Frederic Remington
( 1861 - 1909)
Frederic Remington depicted the life of the cowboy during the 1880's and 1890's better perhaps than any other artist of his time. He thought of himself as a true citizen of the American West. A native of Canton, New York, Remington left college at the age of 19, looking for adventure in the West. Remington operated his own ranch in Kansas and in 1886 he gave it up as a failure and came back to the East. The experience served him well in his later career as an artist. "What success I have had", Remington once told a newspaper reporter, "has been because I have a horseman's knowledge of a horse. No one can draw equestrian subjects unless he is an equestrian himself."
As an artist, Remington first made a name for himself as an illustrator and painter, and began sculpting only 14 years before his death in 1909. "I was impelled to try my hand at sculpture by a mental desire to say something in the round as well as flat. Sculpture is the most perfect expression of action. You can say it all in clay." The first Remington in clay was "Bronco Buster", completed in 1895.
Among his admirers were Theodore Roosevelt, who once said that "Remington portrayed a most characteristic and yet vanishing type of American life. The soldier, the cowboy, the rancher, the Indian, the horses and cattle of the plains will live in his pictures and bronzes, I verily believe for all time".
Charles Russell
( 1864- 1926)
Charles Marion Russell often referred to as "The Cowboy Artist," was one of the most celebrated artists of the American West. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Russell developed a deep fascination with the Western frontier and moved to Montana at the age of 16. He spent much of his life working as a cowboy, which heavily influenced his art. Russell is best known for his vivid depictions of the American West, particularly its landscapes, Native American cultures, wildlife, and the life of cowboys. His works—over 2,000 paintings, sculptures, and illustrations—beautifully capture the spirit of the untamed frontier and the end of an era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In addition to his paintings, Russell's bronze sculptures are highly regarded for their lifelike representation of Western themes. Works like Bronc to Breakfast and The Buffalo Hunt showcase his ability to convey movement and emotion, making him a key figure in Western art history. His art not only offers a glimpse into the past but also preserves the legacy of the Old West for future generations.
Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin was a pioneering French sculptor, widely regarded as the father of modern sculpture. Born in Paris, Rodin developed his artistic talents from a young age, studying at the Petite École where he honed his skills in drawing and sculpture. His work broke away from the traditional forms of classical sculpture, introducing a more realistic and emotional approach. Rodin's art is characterized by its intricate detail, powerful expressions, and dynamic poses, often capturing the complexities of human emotion and movement.
Among his most famous works are The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell, which embody his innovative style and mastery of the human form. Rodin's influence on sculpture was profound, as he rejected idealized beauty in favor of portraying the human condition in all its rawness and imperfection. His legacy continues to inspire artists around the world, cementing him as one of the greatest sculptors in history.
