The Surround 1911

Charles M. Russell made this painting, The Surround, with oil paint sometime around the turn of the century, and you can almost smell the dust and feel the thunder of hooves, can’t you? I love how Russell builds up the image with loose, energetic brushstrokes, especially in the foreground. It’s almost like he’s sculpting the land with paint. The color palette is grounded in earthy tones—ochres, browns, and muted greens. But look how he uses these colors to create a sense of movement and chaos. I’m drawn to the way Russell renders the dust cloud kicked up by the buffalo. It’s not just a cloud, but a swirling, almost spiritual presence, painted with thin washes of color. It encapsulates the energy of the hunt and gives the piece an emotional depth. I think of Remington, another artist who was working at the same time, but Russell feels looser, more intimate. It's less about documentation, more about something felt. The painting doesn’t aim for a single, clear reading; it embraces the messiness of the moment.