The Death Song of Lone Wolf, 1901
Charles M. Russellexpand_more
Oil on canvasexpand_more
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Steiner in memory of Frank M. Steiner, a friend and admirer of Charles and Nancy Russellexpand_more 85.107
Not on Viewexpand_more
Charles M. Russell was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly after his sixteenth birthday, he left for Montana to pursue his lifelong dream of being a cowboy. Russell worked as a cowboy and wrangler for eleven years and documented his experiences through sketches, paintings, and modeled figures. His close observation of Native Americans is revealed through details in this painting that indicate the tribal or even individual identities of some of the men. The man at the left, running alongside a horse, is likely of the Apsáalooke (Crow) or Assiniboine tribe. The shield in the forefront with a thunderbird above a four-pointed form belonged to a man called Swift Dog (1834–1925), of the Oglala Lakota, and is now in the collection of the Minikhada Country Club.
The scene portrayed has long been thought to be inter-tribal conflict, though it is unknown if Russell was showing a specific or imagined event.
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Details
- Title
- The Death Song of Lone Wolf
- Artist Life
- 1864 - 1926
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 85.107
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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