"A Dash for the Timber," an 1889 painting by Frederic Remington, is a classic depiction of the American West that brims with the drama and unadulterated energy of frontier life. This vibrant piece of ...
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| Overview | |
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Author
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Color
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Brown,
Beige,
Blue,
White,
Black,
Green
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Tags
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Wild West,
Action,
Desert,
Group,
Historical,
Riding,
Speed
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| Painting Details | |
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Alternate Titles
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Horsemen Racing Through The Frontier
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Art Movement
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Western Art
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Historical Events
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American Westward Expansion
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| Visual and Stylistic Elements | |
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Brushwork/Texture
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Energetic And Rapid
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Focal Point
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The Racing Horsemen
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Light Source
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Harsh Desert Light
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Objects
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Cowboys , Horses , Hats , Guns , Desert Landscape , Trees , Dust
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Orientation
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Horizontal
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Perspective
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Dynamic Action Perspective
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| Original Masterpiece Features | |
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Creation Process
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Oil On Canvas
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Inscriptions/Signatures
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Signed By Remington
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Provenance
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Sid Richardson Museum
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| Influences and Related Works | |
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Influences
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Western Expansion
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Related Works
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The Stampede
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| Exhibition and Market Information | |
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Criticism & Reception
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Celebrated As A Defining Western Scene
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Cultural Significance
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Depicts The Spirit Of The American Frontier
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Current Owner
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Sid Richardson Museum
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Exhibition History
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Sid Richardson Museum, Texas
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Public Domain Status
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Public Domain
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"A Dash for the Timber," an 1889 painting by Frederic Remington, is a classic depiction of the American West that brims with the drama and unadulterated energy of frontier life. This vibrant piece of art demonstrates Remington's unmatched painting talent as well as his profound comprehension of the historical and cultural narratives that influenced the development of the American identity in the late 19th century.
Painstakingly rendered, the scene shows a band of cowboys racing across a terrain while being followed by American Indian warriors. A rush of sheer adrenaline and survival instinct is captured in the quick and furious action. Remington's ability to capture the human form and the anatomy of horses in harsh settings is evident in the fine detail he used to depict the cowboys riding their charging horses. Though each horse and rider is unique, the story is compellingly driven forward by their united march towards safety.
"A Dash for the Timber" is set against a landscape that is distinctly the huge, wild, and rugged American West. The painting's scenery is one of its most important elements. Remington highlights the painting's undulating topography and the dusty atmosphere created by the racing horses by utilizing light and shadow. The turbulent sky overhead adds to the overall sense of dynamic motion and danger by reflecting the turmoil and danger of the chase below.
Remington uses color in this masterwork in a calculated and powerful way. The humans contrast sharply with the broad, wild plains because of the earthy tones of the terrain and the deeper colors of the horses and riders' clothing. This color scheme not only highlights the activity and directs the viewer's attention to it, but it also amplifies the scene's dramatic effect.
"A Dash for the Timber" is a composition that skillfully places the audience right in the thick of the action. Remington's choice of perspective heightens the immersiveness of the work by placing the observer at a modest elevation, looking down on the chase. With this viewpoint, viewers can experience the danger and intensity as if they are a part of the action.
The accuracy and creative flair with which Frederic Remington's works portray the stories of the American West are highly regarded. "A Dash for the Timber" perfectly captures the spirit of a time characterized by struggle and growth, demonstrating how art can serve as both a historical record and a story. It captures the spirit of adventure and the intricacies of American westward expansion in addition to reflecting the physical difficulties of frontier living.
There is more to this painting than meets the eye. It is a call to reflect on the mythic history of the American West and its ongoing impact on the country's identity and artistic expression. Are you prepared to embark on a thrilling chase and discover the harsh terrain that influenced the folklore and character of a country?
Today, this composition is widely produced as hand-painted oil painting reproductions for collectors and interior spaces.
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What does Frederic Remington depict in A Dash for the Timber?
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What visual qualities make A Dash for the Timber one of Remington's masterworks?
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What is the historical and cultural significance of this painting?
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What atmosphere does a print of A Dash for the Timber create in a home?
- Quotes
- Interesting facts
- Best Rooms & Interior Pairings
- Hand-Painted Reproduction Notes
- Composition, Colors & Visual Details
“A Dash for the Timber captures the very heartbeat of frontier danger and courage.” Owen Wister
“Remington made us feel the thunder of hooves and the desperation of the chase.” Harold McCracken
“This painting is cinema before cinema existed.” Peter Hassrick
“Remington’s horses don’t merely run; they explode across the canvas.” Brian Dippie
“In this single image, Remington captured everything that was dangerous and thrilling about the Old West.” Alexander Nemerov
#1. Breakthrough Painting. This monumental work established Remington's reputation as a serious fine artist, moving beyond his earlier illustration work.
#2. Dramatic Scale. At nearly four by seven feet, the painting's large scale immerses viewers in the desperate action of cowboys fleeing from attackers.
#3. Anatomical Precision. Remington's knowledge of horse anatomy is evident in the precisely rendered galloping horses, each in a different phase of motion.
#4. First Major Sale. This painting was Remington's first to sell for a significant price, launching his commercial success as a fine artist.
#5. Western Action Defined. The composition became iconic, influencing countless depictions of Western chase scenes in art and film.
A reading corner or office, or a library brings out the brown, beige, and blue palette. It anchors a wall confidently and does not need surrounding artwork to support it. It belongs in classic settings, near pale plaster walls and warm cream walls. The depth and atmosphere reward a viewing distance of several feet, while the brushwork rewards a close approach. Hang it where it is the first thing the eye reaches when entering the room.
A studio reproducing this work focuses on the texture of foliage and ground and the sky-to-land transition. Brush size changes with the area: wide brushes for ground and sky, fine ones for figures and accents. In landscapes, the painter holds finer brushwork for foreground texture while the background stays softer. Hand-painted oil reproduction on canvas — close to the spirit of the original, made by a painter and not a printer.
The view is built in three quiet planes — near, middle and far — around The Racing Horsemen. Among the elements on the surface are cowboys, horses, hats, guns, and desert landscape, each given its share of attention. The lighting is built in measured value, separating planes without forcing contrast. Color stays within brown, beige, blue, and white, the painter favoring tonal control over saturation. The painter's hand is present without dominating the image, paint and drawing balanced. The painting holds its composition steady whether seen from across a room or examined closely.