Remington described this illustration, "A Study of Action," in this way: "We would downward among the masses of rock for some time, when we suddenly found ourselves on a shelf of rock. We sought to avoid it by going up and around, but after a tiresome march we were still confronted by a drop of about a hundred feet. I gave up in despair; but the lieutenant, after gazing at the unknown depths which were masked at the bottom by a thick growth of brush, said, 'This is a good place to go down.' I agreed that it was once you got started; but personally I did not care to take the tumble. [Don't forget that Remington was 5 ft. 9 inches in height and weighed 300 lbs.]
"Taking his horse by the bits, the young officer began the descent. The slope was at an angle of at least sixty degrees, and was covered with loose dirt and bowlders [sic], with the mask of brush at the bottom concealing awful possibilities of what might be beneath. The horse hesitated a moment, then put his head down and his leg forward and started. The loose earth crumbled, a great stone was precipitated to the bottom with a crash, the horse slid and floundered along. Had the situation not been so serious it would have been funny, because the angle of the incline was so great that the horse actually sat on his haunches like a dog."
Click on images to enlarge them.
Detail of the above illustration. This is one of the black enlisted men. The officers were all white.
"Marching in the Desert." Great drawing, but a very static composition.
Detail of the above illustration, showing Remington's great skill and craftsmanship. Though drawn with help from a photograph it is nevertheless an excellent portrait of horse and rider.
"The Sign Language." I think that these vignettes are much better than the more elaborate illustrations.
Remington described his encounter with the San Carlos Apaches: "Great excitment prevailed when it was discovered that I was using a sketch-book, and I was forced to disclose the half-finished visage of one villanous face to their gaze. It was straightway torn up, and I was requested, with many scowls and grunts, to discontinue that pastime for Apaches more than any other Indians dislike to have portraits made. That night the 'hi-ya-ya-hi-ya-hi-yo-o-o-o-o' and the beating of the tom-toms came from all parts of the hills, and we sank to sleep with this grewsome [sic] lullaby."
Detail, showing Remington's excellent character drawing and extremely competent pen-and-ink technique.
"A Pull at the Canteen." Too dependent upon photography to be interesting except for the splendid technique.
Detail of the above illustration.
Recent Comments