The artwork “Ridden Down” by Frederic Remington is an oil painting that dates back to the period between 1905 and 1906. This work exemplifies the genre painting category and is informed by the Impressionist movement, characterized by its loose yet visible brushwork and open composition. The canvas measures 30 1/4 by 51 3/8 inches and is housed within the Amon Carter Museum of American Art located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States.
The artwork portrays a vast, open landscape dominated by the expansive sky above and the ground below. The horizon is distant and nearly merges with the sky, creating a sense of the immense, endless plains. In the foreground, a Native American figure stands beside a horse, suggesting an intimate narrative moment frozen in time. The human figure is dressed in traditional attire, with a calm demeanor, facing the wind as evidenced by the horse’s mane and the figure’s hair. The shadow cast by the pair is portrayed prominently, indicating the position of the sun and creating a strong visual contrast with the sunlit ground.
The color palette is natural and muted, with earth tones dominating the scene and giving a sense of harsh aridity to the desert-like environment. Remington’s virtuosity in conveying the textures of the horse’s coat and the sandy ground with his Impressionist technique is notable. The representation of the horse is particularly detailed, with the animal’s musculature and stance suggesting movement and liveliness.
This painting encapsulates a moment of quietude and companionship in the vastness of the American West, perhaps reflecting both the hardship and the bond between the man and his horse. Remington’s choice of subject matter, combined with his distinct style, contributes to the understanding of the cultural narrative of the American frontier during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
