The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush) 1890

"The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush)" is an oil painting by Frederic Remington, one of the most celebrated artists of the American West. Created in 1890, this dynamic piece captures the intensity of a cavalry charge through a rocky landscape. Two mounted soldiers, one charging ahead with a raised lance, depict the danger of the frontier, their horses straining against the terrain. Remington’s signature style of depicting dramatic action and the raw beauty of the American West is evident in the bold brushstrokes and the realistic depiction of the horses and their riders. This artwork, currently at The Art Institute of Chicago, embodies the spirit of the late 19th century American West, often romanticized in popular culture, showcasing the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers facing treacherous landscapes and unknown threats.