Images(3)

A Dangerous Situation

Artist Charles Marion Russell (American, 1864 - 1926)

Date1897

Mediumoil on cardboard mounted on hardboard

Dimensions12 × 18 3/8 inches (30.5 × 46.7 cm)
Frame: 18 × 24 1/4 × 2 3/8 inches (45.7 × 61.6 × 6 cm)

Credit LinePartial Bequest of H.J. Lutcher Stark, 1965 and Partial Gift of Nelda C. Stark, 1973

Object number31.11.1

ClassificationsPaintings

Label TextIn Russell’s painting, a steer charges a cowboy and his horse as the rider attempts to rope the animal. This situation likely occurred when the cowboy needed to round up cattle for shipment to market. Russell is known as the “cowboy artist” because he used his experiences as a working cowboy in his art. In paintings like this one, he portrayed the cowboy in heroic action. Yet Russell realized the changes coming to the West meant that the days of the cowboy working on the open range were coming to an end. Russell identified with the West of the past and used a buffalo skull as part of his signature.

ProvenancePurchased June 26, 1957 though (E. W. Latendorf, New York, New York) by H.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965]; ½ interest bequeathed September 2, 1965 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation [1]; remaining ½ interest gifted June 15, 1973 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation by Nelda C. Stark [1909-1999]; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art | 1. Owned jointly by H.J. Lutcher Stark and Nelda C. Stark until his death at which point his ½ interest was bequeathed to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation.

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