Modern Comanche 1890

Frederic Remington painted 'Modern Comanche' using oil on canvas, a very traditional method to convey a contemporary subject. Remington carefully layered paint to create a sense of depth and texture, evident in the way the light catches the horse's coat and the rider’s clothing. The application of paint gives form to the landscape, grounding the figure and evoking a specific sense of place. In paintings like this one, Remington was creating a popular image of the American West, a kind of branding that romanticized labor on the frontier, and effectively erased indigenous presence. Remington's skilled manipulation of materials and techniques invites us to consider the broader social and cultural context in which 'Modern Comanche' was produced, challenging established notions of both fine art and craft.