The artwork titled “Fight for the Water Hole,” painted by Frederic Remington in 1903, is an oil on canvas piece that belongs to the Impressionism art movement. The dimensions of the piece are 69.2 cm by 102 cm, and it falls within the genre of genre painting. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) in Houston, Texas, United States.
The artwork vividly portrays a tense and dramatic scene set in a barren, sun-drenched landscape. In the foreground, two men are depicted lying prone on the ground, each holding a rifle and appearing to be engaged in a desperate fight over a small, precious waterhole. The expressions and postures of the men convey a sense of urgency and determination, underscored by the vast, arid desert and distant mountains in the background. Surrounding the waterhole are several horses, indicating the practicality and significance of this scarce resource in the harsh environment. Remington’s use of light and color masterfully captures the intensity of the midday sun and the desolate, dry terrain, evoking a sense of both beauty and peril.