Prospecting for Cattle Range 1889

Frederic Remington made this painting, Prospecting for Cattle Range, to represent an activity associated with the West. The painting romanticizes the rugged individualism of settlers by depicting cowboys in a challenging landscape. Consider the historical context: in the late 19th century, the American West was undergoing rapid transformation due to factors such as railroad expansion, mining booms, and government policies that encouraged westward expansion. This expansion deeply affected Indigenous populations and the environment. Remington’s work often obscures the harsh realities of settler colonialism. To fully understand this image, we might consult historical archives, census data, and the writings of Indigenous people. By examining the social, economic, and political conditions of Remington's time, we can understand his painting as both a reflection of and a commentary on the era's values and conflicts.