Artwork
The Flight
The Flight is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Frederic Remington. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
About this work
Overview
Frederic Remington’s 1898 oil work titled The Flight depicts a dynamic cavalry scene on an open plain. The composition centers on a mounted rider brandishing a rifle and spear, while a gray horse charges forward. In the distance, additional armed horsemen are visible against a clear blue sky, conveying motion and tension.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a moment of pursuit or escape, suggested by the title and the forward thrust of the figures. The armed rider in the foreground, dressed in brown attire and a hat, embodies the rugged individualism associated with frontier conflicts, while the surrounding riders hint at a larger, perhaps chaotic, encounter on the frontier.
Technique & Style
Remington employs a vigorous brushwork that emphasizes the kinetic energy of the scene. A palette of warm browns and cool grays contrasts with the bright blue of the sky, while chiaroscuro modeling gives depth to the figures and horses, creating a three‑dimensional sense of space.
History & Provenance
Created in 1898, The Flight entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where it remains on display. The work reflects Remington’s mature period, during which he focused on narrative depictions of the American West.
Context
The painting belongs to the genre of Western history painting popular in the late nineteenth century, a time when artists like Remington sought to document and dramatize the rapidly changing frontier. Its subject matter aligns with contemporary public fascination with cavalry actions and the mythos of the West.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Frederic Sackrider Remington was an American painter, illustrator, sculptor, and writer who specialized in the genre of Western American Art.
The Blanket Signal
The Blanket Signal
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In Hot Pursuit