The Advance-Guard, or The Military Sacrifice (The Ambush)
1890
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1890
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
You see soldiers on horseback, one slumping forward, shot. The rest scatter in fear. A dark figure hides in the brush, unseen by the troops. Remington painted this for Eastern audiences who wanted the West to feel wild and dangerous. He never saw this exact fight—it’s more story than history. The horses’ muscles and the scout’s fall make the scene feel fast and real. Look up *impasto* to see how thick paint makes the horses’ coats pop off the canvas.
