Artwork

The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush)

The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush), by Frederic Remington, oil, 1896
The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush), by Frederic Remington, oil, 1896

The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush) is an oil painting by Frederic Remington. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush) is an oil painting by Frederic Remington, created in 1896. It is part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts two horsemen navigating a desert landscape, with one figure prominently positioned in the foreground and the other in the background. The scene is suggestive of a military or exploratory mission, with the riders armed and on the move.

Technique & Style

Remington's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and tension, while the muted color palette, dominated by earthy tones, evokes the arid atmosphere of the desert. The horses are captured in dynamic motion, conveying a sense of energy and movement.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Frederic Remington

Artist

Frederic Remington

Frederic Sackrider Remington was an American painter, illustrator, sculptor, and writer who specialized in the genre of Western American Art.