Artwork
On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford
On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford is a watercolor work on paper by the American Impressionist artist Frederic Remington. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1893, this watercolor by Frederic Remington captures a specific moment of frontier exploration titled On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford.
Created in 1893, this watercolor by Frederic Remington captures a specific moment of frontier exploration titled On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford. The composition focuses on the practical challenge of river crossing, depicting a lone rider on horseback navigating the headwaters of a stream. The work serves as a visual document of equestrianism within the American West, emphasizing the reliance on horses for travel through difficult terrain.
By illustrating the act of locating a safe passage, or ford, the piece symbolizes the broader human endeavor to tame and traverse the rugged landscape. The imagery underscores the intimate connection between the man and his mount, presenting them as a unified force against the natural environment.
Technique & Style
On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford is a watercolor executed on paper by Frederic Remington in 1893. The work is classified as a landscape within the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing holdings. Its subject matter centers on equestrian activity, depicting a man and a horse, consistent with Remington's focus on frontier and rider imagery.
As a watercolor on paper support, the medium lends itself to fluid handling and rapid tonal washes, suiting the outdoor, on-the-move subject of a rider fording headwaters.
History & Provenance
Frederic Remington created the watercolor on paper titled On the Head-Waters--Burgess Finding a Ford in 1893. The work depicts a man and a horse engaged in equestrian activity within a landscape setting. This piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing.
Overview
Frederic Remington’s watercolor titled On the Head‑Waters, Burgess Finding a Ford dates to around 1893. Executed on paper, the work captures a moment on a river crossing where a rider tests the depth with his boot while two companions await on the opposite bank. The composition is rendered with rapid brushwork that conveys the immediacy of the scene.
Context
At the time of its creation, western expansion and the romanticization of frontier life were prominent in American culture. Remington’s depictions of horsemen and rugged terrain contributed to contemporary visual narratives about the West, aligning with literature and popular media that emphasized adventure and the taming of wilderness.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederic Sackrider Remington was an American painter, illustrator, sculptor, and writer who specialized in the genre of Western American Art.
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