Charles M. Russell

Charles M. Russell was an artist of the Old American West, known for his paintings of cowboys, Indians, and landscapes.

Painter

1864

October 24, 1926

62

St. Louis, Missouri

Charles M. Russell, often referred to as C. M. Russell, Charlie Russell, or “Kid” Russell, was a multifaceted American artist who became an icon of the American West. He was a painter, sculptor, author, and storyteller, renowned for his artworks that portrayed the lifestyle and landscapes of the Western United States. Some of his most famous pieces include “When the Land Belonged to God,” “The Scouts,” and “In Without Knocking.” Russell played a role in establishing the Cowboy Artists of America, and his art has been showcased in various books, exhibitions, and films.

Besides his artistic abilities, Russell was also a writer, poet, and raconteur. He authored several books, such as “Trails Plowed Under,” a collection of stories and essays recounting his cowboy experiences, and “Good Medicine,” an anthology of his poetry and amusing tales.

Russell’s passion for the open plains and frontier life inspired his creations, which encapsulated the essence of the West. He worked as a cowboy for different outfits and chronicled the harsh winter of 1886-1887 through a series of watercolors. Russell’s art remains highly regarded, with his paintings commanding high prices at auctions. His oil painting “For Supremacy” sold for a record-breaking $1.5 million.

In summary, Charles M. Russell was a versatile artist who left a comprehensive and precise visual account of the Old West through his paintings, sculptures, writings, and storytelling.