Trooper of the Plains 1908 - 1938

Cast in bronze by Frederic Remington, this sculpture captures a dynamic scene on the American frontier. Bronze, as a material, lends itself particularly well to this subject, evoking both the ruggedness and the romance of the Wild West. The lost-wax casting process used to create this sculpture involves a complex series of steps, from creating a wax model to investing it in a ceramic shell, melting out the wax, and finally pouring in the molten bronze. This labor-intensive process reflects the effort required to tame the West, and also the economic investment in representing it. The bronze has a rich, dark patina that enhances the texture of the sculpture, from the rough terrain beneath the horse's hooves to the folds of the trooper's clothing. Remington's choice of bronze elevates his subject matter, suggesting that even a simple trooper can embody the heroism of the American narrative. By focusing on the material and the making, we recognize the cultural values embedded in this seemingly straightforward depiction of a man on a horse.