An Old-Time Plains Fight

Remington provided this painting to Century Magazine to illustrate an article on the fur trade. The mixed-race fur traders have entered Native American territory and are meeting a hearty resistance. The arrows in the foreground show that a battle is in progress. The composition is simple and direct. The viewer is confronted by the front figure as he anticipates a last stand. The men are representative of Eastern civilization caught in a classic confrontation with hostile Native Americans on whose land they trespass.