Artwork
On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford
On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford is a watercolor work on paper by the American Impressionist artist Frederic Remington. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Frederic Remington’s watercolor titled On the Head‑Waters—Burgess Finding a Ford dates to around 1893. Executed on paper, the work captures a moment on a river crossing where a rider tests the depth with his boot while two companions await on the opposite bank. The composition is rendered with rapid brushwork that conveys the immediacy of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The work reflects themes of exploration, the relationship between humans and the natural landscape, and the practical realities of western travel.
The image centers on a group of horsemen navigating a shallow river, a common challenge in frontier travel. The lead rider’s forward lean and probing foot suggest caution and determination, while the waiting riders underscore the collaborative nature of such crossings. The work reflects themes of exploration, the relationship between humans and the natural landscape, and the practical realities of western travel.
Technique & Style
Remington painted the scene en plein air, using a compact watercolor kit that allowed swift execution. Loose, wet brushstrokes define the swirling water and the fleeting green of surrounding foliage, while the horses and riders are suggested with minimal detail. This rapid handling captures the changing light and movement, giving the piece a snapshot‑like quality typical of Remington’s field studies.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1890s, the watercolor was produced during Remington’s extensive travels across the American West, where he documented frontier life. The piece entered the American Wing collection of the museum, where it remains part of the broader assemblage of Remington’s works that illustrate his interest in western subjects.
Context
At the time of its creation, western expansion and the romanticization of frontier life were prominent in American culture. Remington’s depictions of horsemen and rugged terrain contributed to contemporary visual narratives about the West, aligning with literature and popular media that emphasized adventure and the taming of wilderness.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederic Sackrider Remington was an American painter, illustrator, sculptor, and writer who specialized in the genre of Western American Art.
