Charles M. Russell (Library of American Art) [Hardcover]

Peter H. Hassrick (Author)

Book Description

Series: Library of American Art | Publication Date: May 1, 1989

In 1880, Charles M. Russell headed west to Montana, where he worked as a wrangler and chronicled in paint, ink, and watercolor the West and its people. For his splendid depictions of bronco riders, roundups, and everyday ranch life, Russell soon became known as "the Cowboy Artist." Yet this "Cowboy Artist" also spent much time among the Indians and developed a sympathetic understanding of and appreciation for their efforts to preserve their way of life. Russell’s memorable paintings and drawings portray a frontier that was vanishing, not only for Indians but also for cowboys.

Peter H. Hassrick discusses Russell’s work in the context of the artist’s experiences in the West and the people who influenced his artistic style.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This new work on the quintessential Cowboy Artist comes with impeccable credentials. Its author directs the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, and the volume he has produced is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Art's "Library of American Art" series. As one would expect, the 100-plus illustrations--including 52 color plates--steal the show. The text is heavily biographical, with critical analysis secondary. Recommended as an introduction to Russell along with two other recent titles: Brian Dippie's Looking at Russell (Amon Carter, 1987) and Ginger Renner's A Limitless Sky: The Work of Charles M. Russell (Northland, 1986).
- Russell T. Clement, Brigham Young Univ. Lib., Provo, Ut.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Peter H. Hassrick is Director of the Petrie Instutite of Western American Art, Denver Art Museum, and the author or coauthor of numerous books, including (with Linda Bantel) Forging an American Identity: The Art of William Ranney.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 155 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; Ex Libris edition (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810915715
• ISBN-13: 978-0810915718
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER EXCELLENT BOOK OF WESTERN ART (CARSON'S MEN-detail cover, 1913), March 26, 2011

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Charles M. Russell (Library of American Art) (Hardcover)

Since I am interested in mostly American Western art, I bought only this Charles M. Russell volume and the Frederic Remington one as well in the Library of American Art series. Both volumes are part of what was then called The Library of American Art. There are other volumes in this series but only the two western are of interest to me (should you feel otherwise, check out my review of Remington, 0-8109-1573-1 for a small listing of other titles in the series).

These books feature a small biography of 150 pages or so, plus a chronology, to acquaint the reader with the artist. Beyond that each volume has both black and white, and color photos plus some sculpture art as well (more in the Remington volume than in the Russell). The paintings in the volumes are generally of the more famous, recognizable but with books both being well produced, the colors almost literally explode off the page. Again, a little more so in the Remington than in the Russell.

Both books have the real feel of an art book: bound in buckram with sewn pages, these volumes are very durable with little chance of ever having loose pages. They are sturdy to last through many, many readings. This Russell volume has 102 illustrations including 52 plates in color.

The volume was a bargain at the price I paid years ago, even more so now with today's prices from Amazon dealers. If you love the American West and its art, both the Remington and the Russell volumes are terrific books to have on your shelves.

Recommended.

Semper Fi.