The Hunting Party [No. 3] 1911

Painted by Charles M. Russell, The Hunting Party shows a group of people on horseback making their way across a vast plain. I imagine the painting came to life through Russell’s hands, strokes of color building up the dry grasses and endless sky. I can almost feel the grit beneath the horses’ hooves, the way Russell has textured the ground. It makes me think about his connection to the West and the stories he wanted to tell. Look at the rider at the front, spear held high—what’s he thinking? Where are they going? What’s over that distant horizon? There’s something about the painting's muted colors and the quiet, steady movement of the figures that reminds me of artists like Frederic Remington, who were also captivated by the American West. Ultimately, I believe that painting, like storytelling, is a way of keeping memories alive, sparking imagination, and connecting us to different worlds and perspectives.