Renowned as an iconic figure in early 20th-century American art for his portrayals of the American West, Charles M. Russell’s masterworks and ephemera form a significant portion of the Gilcrease collection. Examples of Charles M. Russell’s mature painting style are enriched by Gilcrease Museum’s equally important collection of the artist’s bronze sculptures, sketches, and personal belongings. In addition to the Charles M. Russell works in the museum’s art collection, Gilcrease is home to the Russell Research Collection (Britzman). The research collection’s catalogue of preparatory drawings, sketches, illustrated letters and items owned by the artist adds to the depth and understanding of Charles M. Russell’s life and artistic process. 

By Zachary Qualls, Graduate Research Assistant, Museum Science and Management, The University of Tulsa, 2016