Buffalo Hunt No.40 1919

Charles M. Russell made Buffalo Hunt No. 40 with oil paints, capturing a moment of intense action. The energy is palpable, isn't it? You can almost feel the thundering hooves and the rush of adrenaline. Look at how Russell uses color to create this dynamism. The browns of the buffalo and the earth are layered with strokes of yellow and ochre, giving the impression of movement and dust. The paint application is loose, almost gestural, especially in the foreground. It's not about precise detail; it's about conveying the raw, visceral experience of the hunt. I'm especially drawn to the way he depicts the bodies of the buffalo, a mass of dark fur, and how that contrasts with the lighter tones of the sky. Russell's work reminds me a bit of Frederic Remington, another artist who documented the American West. But where Remington often focused on the heroic, Russell brings a more intimate, almost empathetic perspective to his subjects. It’s this blend of action and emotion that makes his work so compelling, don’t you think?