Description
In The Slick Ear, Charles Marion Russell builds a focused image around the subject identified by the work’s name. The arrangement directs attention across the canvas in measured stages, connecting the main subject to the space and forms around it.
Subtle shifts of color and value reveal Charles Marion Russell’s approach to depth, atmosphere, and emphasis. Changes in density across the image help separate primary forms from supporting areas while maintaining a unified overall design. This combination of structure and atmosphere gives the work a visual rhythm that remains engaging beyond the first impression.
In a hand-painted reproduction, the work is rebuilt through successive layers of oil color rather than mechanically printed. This process creates depth and surface variation beyond printed reproduction, resulting in an artwork intended for viewers who appreciate patient, traditional craftsmanship.





