Mountain Man / Frederic Remington Sculpture

Mountain Man / Small Frederic Remington
Bronze Sculpture Reproduction

This Western themed sculpture features a mountain man riding a horse down a steep and treacherous rocky mountain slope. The design is extremely detailed and realistic, showcasing expert craftsmanship by the sculptor, Frederic Remington. He "The Mountain Man" as one of the "old Iroquois trappers who followed the Fur Companies in the Rocky Mountains in the 1830s & 40'ties," probably referring to French Canadian trappers.
The sculptor chose a dramatic episode in the daily life of a trapper, his and his mount's descent on an almost vertical slope. The Mountain Man bronze portrayed one of the most revered and popular Western genres, the fur trapper slowly, the rider descends a summit trail. Man and horse work together to make the trip down a treacherously rocky decline: the horse has been given full rein to choose its pace and path; the rider leans sharply back and balances himself by holding on to the tail strap with his right hand.
His horse quivers nervously, lifting a hind leg and front hoof as the pair skid down the mountain. The rider tugs at the rein with one hand and steadies himself with the other hand as he leans back in the saddle. Together, rider and horse continue the decline with caution in every tense move.
The Mountain Man statuettes are sharply delineated with a rich variety of textures, particularly evident in the fringed buckskin garment, the animal's hairy hide, and the rocklike base. This bronze portrayed one of the most revered and popular Western genres, the fur trapper. As Remington described in a letter to the museum curator of the Corcoran Gallery of art ( where he intended to market the piece), “This Mountain Man I intend to be as one of those old Iroquois trappers who followed the fur companies in the Rocky Mountains in the 30’s and 40’ties.”
It was important to Remington that the sculpture shows the skillfulness of balance and surefootedness; and also gives great attention to the detail in the Mountain Mans’ attire. Letting the viewer gain a feeling that they are right there on the side of the mountain. Remington believed that the original 1903 bronze when viewed from the front or side conveyed a dizzy sense of height, in hopes to show all viewers just how dangerous the adventurous of these individuals’ lives were.
He compiled his ideas from a number of resources which consisted mainly of photos and a few sketches, one of which was Prussian military officer riding down a mountain. It was important to Remington that he pay attention to the stance of the rider and animal to ensure the life likeness. This seems to be a major emphasis employed later on in his career as he became more critical of his own work. The Mountain Man bronze is distinguishable by Remington’s fine attention to detail.

This quality poster is of a vintage ad for Grafofoni Columbia (Columbia Graphophone Company). It shows a couple dancing on a gramophone player. The Columbia Graphophone Company was one of the earliest gramophone companies in the United Kingdom. On April 21, 1931, the Gramophone Company and the Columbia Graphophone Company merged and formed a new company Electric and Musical Industries (EMI). American anti-trust laws forced EMI to sell its American Columbia operations. EMI continued to operate the Columbia record label everywhere but the U.S., Canada, and
Japan until the early 1970s.

Bronze on marble base
Entire sculpture Size on base 7” W x 5” D x 13 1/4” H
Sculpture Size 5” W x 4” D x 12” H
A petite sculpture of lovely form and shape for
the Western history buff!
Condition Good
See Photos

Very Good

18%

Watercress Springs Estate Sales | (917) 686-8201 | angela@watercresssprings.com

Pickup Details

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

WESTPORT, CT 06880

When to Pickup

Saturday, 10/3, 10:00 am
Saturday, 10/3, 5:00 am

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