C.M. "Charlie" Russell was irresistibly appealed by the Wild West. A short period spent in 1886 with the Blackfeet convinced him of the original goodwill of the Montana tribes for white men. The gold rush has spoiled everything when unscrupulous adventurers crossed their territories.
Charlie spent his entire artist's career in Montana. In 1896 he married the young Nancy who shared his vision. In 1897 the newlyweds established their studio in the small town of Great Falls founded 14 years earlier. Today in that city the C.M. Russell Museum Complex is dedicated to the life of pioneer and the work of the "cowboy artist".
Charlie Russell's paintings and watercolors treat the stories of both communities including their internal and external conflicts. One of his favorite subjects is the group of Natives watching for the possible arrival of whites who will bring to them the boon of their amazing goods. Opposed to the progress symbolized by the railway, Charlie expresses his sympathy for the tribes and castigates the lure of his own civilization.
On July 29 in Reno, The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction sells Approach of the White Men, oil on canvas 61 x 86 cm painted in 1897, lot 155 estimated $ 1,5M. The three scouts on horseback are halting on a mound to observe the plains at sunrise. They are followed up to the horizon by a long line of riders. Here is the link to this auction house specializing in the art of the Wild West.
An undated oil on canvas of same size and nearly identical scene titled The Scouting Party was sold for $ 1.9M including premium on July 27, 2013 by The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction.
The same auction house sold on August 30, 2005 for $ 5.6M including premium an oil on canvas of similar size painted in 1918. Titled Piegans, it shows a group of Indian horsemen going forward with peaceful fanions. The colors of the beginning of the day are more vivid.
unsold
Charlie spent his entire artist's career in Montana. In 1896 he married the young Nancy who shared his vision. In 1897 the newlyweds established their studio in the small town of Great Falls founded 14 years earlier. Today in that city the C.M. Russell Museum Complex is dedicated to the life of pioneer and the work of the "cowboy artist".
Charlie Russell's paintings and watercolors treat the stories of both communities including their internal and external conflicts. One of his favorite subjects is the group of Natives watching for the possible arrival of whites who will bring to them the boon of their amazing goods. Opposed to the progress symbolized by the railway, Charlie expresses his sympathy for the tribes and castigates the lure of his own civilization.
On July 29 in Reno, The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction sells Approach of the White Men, oil on canvas 61 x 86 cm painted in 1897, lot 155 estimated $ 1,5M. The three scouts on horseback are halting on a mound to observe the plains at sunrise. They are followed up to the horizon by a long line of riders. Here is the link to this auction house specializing in the art of the Wild West.
An undated oil on canvas of same size and nearly identical scene titled The Scouting Party was sold for $ 1.9M including premium on July 27, 2013 by The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction.
The same auction house sold on August 30, 2005 for $ 5.6M including premium an oil on canvas of similar size painted in 1918. Titled Piegans, it shows a group of Indian horsemen going forward with peaceful fanions. The colors of the beginning of the day are more vivid.
unsold
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