Charles Marion Russell (1864-1926)

Charles Marion Russell (1864-1926)

Charles Marion Russell was one of America’s premier artists of the American west.  He was born in St. Louis, Missouri and at the age of fifteen he moved to Great Falls, Montana where he worked as a wrangler until 1892.  In addition in 1888 he spent six months living amongst the Blood Indians.  His fascination with the American west and its people grew from these experiences and was responsible for launching a distinguished and successful career as an artist.   

Contact Vose about this artist
Read more about this artist...

Russell was a self-taught artist who’s subjects mainly depict cowboys and Indians seen in action- adventure scenes such as, gunfights or at work on the open prairie.  His illustrations first appeared in Harper’s Magazine in 1888 and later he published illustrations in McClure’s and Leslie’ magazines. Russell  was an extremely accomplished artist who is reported to have completed over 2,500 works during  his lifetime.  Critics and connoisseurs often liken and compare his work with artist Frederic Remington, who’s work also depicted life in the American west.  

Russell exhibited his work at the St. Louis Fair in 1904, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Art Institute of Chicago.  He first visited New York in 1903 and in 1911 was given his first solo show there.  By 1920 he began summering in California and he also made one trip to Europe.  Today his work can be found in many important public and private collections such as the Amon Carter museum in Fort Worth, Texas and the Museum of New Mexico. 

References: See Who Was Who In American Art (1999).   

Request this artist