The Stranglers 1920

Charles M. Russell made this painting, The Stranglers, with oil on canvas, and you can really see how he worked the paint to build the scene. Look at how Russell builds the landscape with these energetic brushstrokes, especially in the foreground. The paint isn't super thick, but it’s applied in a way that gives everything a real sense of texture. The horses and the bears become so vivid. I like the way Russell uses color here. The warm earth tones against the cool blues of the distant mountains create this great depth. And the light! It feels like a real moment, a specific time of day. It reminds me a bit of Frederic Remington, another artist who captured the West, but Russell feels a bit looser, more painterly. It’s like he’s inviting us into the scene, not just as observers, but as participants in the drama. It’s a scene of conflict, sure, but it’s also a testament to the wildness and beauty of the West.