The Broncho Buster 1895 - 1909

Curator: Frederic Remington's "The Broncho Buster," conceived around 1895 and cast in bronze until 1909, embodies the spirit of the American West. Currently, it resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: The immediacy of the action is compelling; it’s so dynamically rendered. The bucking horse and straining rider, all captured in this rough-hewn bronze—you can practically feel the tension and struggle. Curator: Remington created over 20 different editions and sizes of the bronze over more than 10 years, initially wanting to make sure the image was readily accessible. This was meant to capture the spirit of the cowboy—though idealized, it was inspired by real-life observation and experiences that were accessible. Editor: Yes, and let's not overlook the material itself: bronze. Think of the lost-wax casting process and labor that goes into creating this artwork. Then the repetitive casting. It challenges traditional hierarchies where something handmade has greater artistic value when Remington made dozens and dozens of "original" artworks. What are the material consequences of industrial techniques being used to capture supposedly fleeting moments in art? Curator: His training heavily influenced the choice, because as an artist-reporter, his images sought truth while creating narrative; bronze offered him both permanence and perceived authenticity. The multiple editions speaks more to the growing middle class eager to bring home romanticized visions of the Wild West—to literally own a piece of American history or legend. Editor: But there's an irony isn't there? Here we are, observing what looks like brute nature. But what are the mechanics here? You know Remington certainly must have sought to conceal the elaborate supports required during its production by modeling, carving, welding and tooling its different elements so it wouldn't topple over! Curator: You are right; his ability to successfully mask the means only further added to the perceived realism, solidifying the statue’s role in memorializing a specific narrative and influencing broader cultural understanding. Remington really straddled fine art, illustration, and commerce in interesting ways. Editor: Yes. Looking again I notice how many multiples would have had to be made in the artist's studio; all those welders and mold-makers—the hidden hands that helped solidify a myth in physical form. Thank you! Curator: Precisely, making “The Broncho Buster” so much more than just a historical snapshot; it's a carefully manufactured narrative reflecting, and perpetuating, a vision of the West. Very insightful.