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In January 2015, I blogged about Western artist, Charles Marion Russell. While researching Russell’s story, I found that he was a contemporary of Frederic
Remington, another well-known Western artist. I thought I would share Remington’s
story with you this month. As we’ll see there were major differences between
the two artists, even though there is some similarity in their work. Russell
made a living as a cowboy and chose to live in the west for much of his life.
Remington tried living in the west, and did get an understanding for the cowboy
life, but chose to live back east instead of the more rugged West.
Frederic Remington was born in 1861 in Canton, New York. His
father attended West Point and served as a Colonel in the Civil War. He had
high hopes his only child, Frederic, would follow in his footsteps, but
Frederic proved more interested in the arts than in math and other studies
necessary to attend West Point. Instead, he practiced drawing cowboys and soldiers
from an early age. As he grew older, he often drew caricatures of his
classmates. When he attended Yale, his first published drawing was a cartoon of
injured football player.
In 1879, he left Yale to care for his father who had
contracted tuberculosis. After his father’s death, Remington worked a variety
of small jobs at newspapers. He once told his uncle he didn’t aspire to fame,
but would be content working as a journalist with a sideline in art.
At 19, after receiving an inheritance, Remington set out for
the wilds of Montana. He considered buying a ranch, or going into mining until
he realized his inheritance wouldn't cover the cost. While in the West, he did begin to understand the harsher elements and the nature of the cowboy’s work,
something that showed up in his art work. Harper’s Weekly published Remington’s
first commercial piece of art, a re-creation of a quick sketch he’d done on
some wrapping paper.
After numerous ventures that either didn’t pan out, or weren’t
what Remington wanted to do, he began to sketch and paint in an attempt to make
a living with his art work. His earlier choice of sketching patrons of saloons
hadn’t been favored by his wife and she left him. He continued to paint,
reunited with his wife and moved back east. At this time, his technique was
considered amateur and rough. Remington began studying at the Art Students
League of New York. He began to submit sketches to Harper’s Weekly and
Colliers. In 1886, at the age of 25, he received his first full page under his
own name in Harper’s Weekly.
He traveled a lot to various places such as Arizona and
Canada, but his big break came when he was commissioned to illustrate a book
for Teddy Roosevelt. Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail would showcase 83
illustrations by Remington. The book was serialized in The Century Magazine
before being published as a book. Remington’s credibility as a Western artist
soared as the issues released.
Remington received many honors. In 1888, two of his
paintings were chosen by the U. S. Postal to be reproduced on stamps. After
being dropped by Harper’s Weekly, he wrote and illustrated books about the
West. In 1898, he became a war correspondent for the Spanish-American War. At the
end of the war, the Rough Riders presented Teddy Roosevelt with Remington’s
bronze, The Bronco Buster. Remington declared this to be a great honor.
Throughout his life, Remington produced close to 3000 works
of art, wrote 8 books and cast 25 bronzes, many of which are popular
reproductions today. His study on the
horse in motion changed the way horses were depicted in art.
Frederic Remington died young at 48 years old, from
complications of appendicitis.
Have you ever read any of Remington’s books? Do you prefer
his paintings or his bronzes? Leave a comment below to be entered in the giveaway for a copy of my latest release, or for one of my other titles of your
choice.
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Nancy J Farrier is an award winning author who lives in Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children and one grandson. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.
Love his paintings. I'd never heard of him. So sad he died so young. Thanks for sharing, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie. Glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteRemington was truly a talented artist. I really enjoy is bronzes. Thank you for sharing, Nancy!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Melanie, I love his bronzes. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteNancy, We are fortunate to have the Gilcrease Museum in the town I live in. It has the world's largest collection of western art, including many of Russell's and Remignton's work. I've been a fan of both men for many years. Thanks for helping me to learn more about them.
ReplyDeleteVickie, I would love to visit that museum. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteI enjoyed learning about both of these artists! I think I need to visit the Eiteljorg Museum again, they have works by both artists.
ReplyDeleteLinda Hutchins
lindajhutchins@gmail.com
Linda, when I was in Indiana visiting my sister last November, she took me to teh Eiteljorg Museum. That's where I got the idea for these two blog posts. I loved the Eiteljorg and hope to go again sometime. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteNot heard of Remington's books or art. I really like his paintings. Sm. wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, Sharon. I loved that he was noted for incorporating true motion in his horses.
DeleteI didn't know he was an author. I haven't seen any of his artwork personally but have seen photos of the bronzework.
ReplyDeletebcrug(at)myfairpoint(dot)net
Connie, my brother-in-law received Remington's book, Ranch Life and Hunting for Christmas and really enjoyed it. I haven't read any of his books, but maybe I should. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI've always enjoyed his paintings. Sounds like he had to learn how to paint-- just like writers have to learn how to write! But once he got going, he really produced! (A lesson for us writers!)
ReplyDeletederobin7@gmail.com
Great point, Donna. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI have seen pictures of Remington's art and love his bronzes. I didn't realize he was also an author. Thanks so much for the interesting post, Nancy!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com