Ridden Down 1906

Frederic Remington made this painting, Ridden Down, at the turn of the last century with the help of oil paint, brushes, and probably a bit of turpentine. Look at the way Remington layered these colors to evoke an arid landscape. It is built up with so many delicate layers! I can imagine him standing there with his brush, trying to get the light just right, adding a touch of yellow ochre here, a dab of burnt sienna there. The brushstrokes are loose and free, almost impressionistic, yet they capture the harshness of the terrain and the weariness of the figures. That horse, head hung low, really speaks to me. I wonder what Remington was thinking about as he painted it? Was he sympathizing with the animal, or was he more interested in capturing the drama of the scene? Maybe he saw something of himself in that tired horse. I love how Remington uses thick daubs of paint to create texture, making the surface almost tactile. You can practically feel the grit of the sand and the sweat on the horse’s coat. It reminds me that painting is a conversation with oneself, a way of working through ideas and emotions with color and form.