In the first decade of the twentieth century, Remington began to use brilliant contrasts of color in his paintings. After 1900 he discovered the joys of applying paint freely, using dabs of color to indicate forms and highlights. The stroke of the brush, implying movement across the canvas, and the texture of bristles still palpable from when they were first laid down. Buffalo Runners—Big Horn Basin is a riot of vivid color—yellow ochres, warm browns, rusts and reds—sweeping across the canvas with an abandon to match that of the racing riders. Remington wanted to give the viewer the sensation of light, sun, air and speed, writing, “I have always wanted to be able to paint running horses so you would feel the details and not see them.” Painted in the last year of his life, Buffalo Runners—Big Horn Basin marks a high point in Remington’s constant attempt to push the technical and stylistic boundaries of his art.
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Buffalo Runners—Big Horn Basin
Artist: Frederic Remington Year Completed: 1909 Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 30.125 x 51.125 inches