Charles Marion Russell (1864-1926) remains one of the most significant and beloved American artists of the early 20th century. In his lifetime, he completed more than 4,000 paintings and sculptures, many of which have become fundamental cultural icons — essential images of western American life. Russell’s depictions of cowboys, American Indians, historical figures, and western fauna are among the most well-known portrayals of the late 19th and early 20th century western experience. His work has long been considered unique in its approach to complex subjects and is widely recognized for its authenticity and attention to detail. Above all, Charles M. Russell excelled at engaging the viewer with vibrant, exciting, and captivating scenes of western life. Gilcrease Museum is home to a large collection of material created by and about Russell, including 53 Russell paintings and 30 of his sculptures, as well as the Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman), which is an archive of about 12,000 items chronicling the life and work of the famed western artist. 

Explore articles and browse highlights below, or peruse the online Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman).