Buckskin Brigades c. 1935

Harold Emerson Keeler made "Buckskin Brigades," sometime in the mid-20th century, probably as a color print, judging by the flat blocks of color. The process of building up the image layer by layer is so evident, and I'm drawn to that. There's a quality to the surface, an overall haze. It gives the work a dreamlike feel, like a memory fading at the edges. What I notice is how the artist uses color, creating a sense of depth and movement. Look at the horses: the details are minimal, almost like symbols. The repeated mark making on the horse on the left creates texture and volume. It's the physicality of the medium coming through. The title suggests a specific narrative, a historical event perhaps. I can't help but think of someone like Elizabeth Catlett, another printmaker who was also interested in figuration, who manages to convey so much emotion through form. Ultimately, I think this piece reminds me that art doesn't have to give you all the answers, it’s a place to bring your questions.