Charles M. Russell Book

In 1880, at the age of sixteen, Charles M. Russell left his home in St. Louis and headed west to Montana to share the lives of the mountain men, cowboys, and wranglers, whose exploits had filled his imagination as a boy. In the years that followed he found his niche in the cattle kingdom, working as a wrangler, joining his fellow cowboys on the roundup, and - for his own pleasure and that of his friends - chronicling in paint, ink, and watercolor the West and its people. For his splendid depictions of bronco riders, roundups, and everyday ranch life, Russell soon became known as "the Cowboy Artist." Yet this was a "Cowboy Artist" who also spent much time among the Indians and developed a sympathetic understanding and appreciation for their efforts to preserve their way of life. Russell's memorable paintings and drawings portray a frontier that was vanishing, not only for Indians but also for cowboys. Peter H. Hassrick discusses Russell's work in the context of the artist's experiences in the West and the people who influenced his artistic style. Included are reproductions of a choice selection of Russell's paintings, drawings, and sculpture, each accompanied by a brief commentary.

102 illustrations, 52 in full color, 160 pages, 8-7/8 x 12"