The Last of the Buffalo
1891
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1891
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This scene shows a lone rider on horseback chasing a herd of buffalo across an open field. The animals are scattered—some running, others lying still. In the distance, mountains fade into a hazy sky, and a small body of water reflects the dull light. The rider’s spear is raised, but the buffalo seem more focused on fleeing than fighting. The artist used soft shading to make the landscape feel vast and quiet. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth in paintings.
