Seeking New Hunting Ground 1891

Charles M. Russell likely made this painting with oil on canvas. He was a self-taught artist, and his work often depicts scenes from the American West. Here, the artist captured a Native American tribe moving to new hunting grounds. The figures on horseback, the dogs, and the travois are all rendered with meticulous detail. This shows that he must have spent a lot of time studying these subjects. There is an incredible amount of work involved in the rendering of the light, which gives depth to the image. It is this attention to detail which sets Russell apart from other artists of his time. His commitment to accurately portraying the lives and customs of Native Americans challenged the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.