A Dash for the Timber

Frederic Remington

Item Number: 29709

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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 ...

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Features “A Dash for the Timber” by Frederic Remington
Overview
Author
Color
Brown, Beige, Blue, White, Black, Green
Tags
Wild West, Action, Desert, Group, Historical, Riding, Speed
Painting Details
Alternate Titles
Horsemen Racing Through The Frontier
Art Movement
Western Art
Historical Events
American Westward Expansion
Visual and Stylistic Elements
Brushwork/Texture
Energetic And Rapid
Focal Point
The Racing Horsemen
Light Source
Harsh Desert Light
Objects
Cowboys , Horses , Hats , Guns , Desert Landscape , Trees , Dust
Orientation
Horizontal
Perspective
Dynamic Action Perspective
Original Masterpiece Features
Creation Process
Oil On Canvas
Inscriptions/Signatures
Signed By Remington
Provenance
Sid Richardson Museum
Influences and Related Works
Influences
Western Expansion
Related Works
The Stampede
Exhibition and Market Information
Criticism & Reception
Celebrated As A Defining Western Scene
Cultural Significance
Depicts The Spirit Of The American Frontier
Current Owner
Sid Richardson Museum
Exhibition History
Sid Richardson Museum, Texas
Public Domain Status
Public Domain
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Description “A Dash for the Timber” by Frederic Remington

"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.


Reviews “A Dash for the Timber” by Frederic Remington

Q/A “A Dash for the Timber” by Frederic Remington
Experts answer questions

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What does Frederic Remington depict in A Dash for the Timber?
    Open Answer

    Remington depicts a group of cowboys or soldiers riding at full gallop across an open landscape, fleeing toward the cover of a timber line as they are pursued — the composition a perfectly organized image of desperate speed, collective action, and the violent drama of the American frontier. Every horse and rider is captured at the full extension of a gallop, creating a frieze of horizontal movement that fills the canvas with kinetic energy.

  • What visual qualities make A Dash for the Timber one of Remington's masterworks?
    Open Answer

    The painting demonstrates Remington's complete command of the galloping horse — a subject he studied obsessively — with each horse in a different phase of its stride, creating a scientifically accurate and visually thrilling sequence of equine motion. The dust, the urgency of the riders' postures, and the approaching timber line in the middle distance all contribute to a composition of extraordinary narrative and visual tension. The painting is large — nearly four feet high and seven feet wide — and its scale amplifies the physical immediacy of the scene.

  • What is the historical and cultural significance of this painting?
    Open Answer

    Painted in 1889 and exhibited at the National Academy of Design, A Dash for the Timber established Remington's reputation as the preeminent painter of the American West and a serious artistic figure rather than merely a popular illustrator. It belongs to a series of paintings depicting the cavalry and frontier conflicts that defined American military and westward expansion in the post-Civil War era, and it captures a moment that was already becoming mythology even as it was still occurring.

  • What atmosphere does a print of A Dash for the Timber create in a home?
    Open Answer

    The painting's extraordinary kinetic energy, its sense of danger and speed, and its status as one of the defining images of the American West create a bold and dramatic presence in any interior. It suits a large wall in a living room, study, or western-themed space where its scale and energy can work their full effect. For lovers of American art, frontier history, and equestrian painting at its most thrilling, it is an irreplaceable and exciting choice.


Additional Information “A Dash for the Timber” by Frederic Remington

“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.


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