This is a reference image scanned from an older transparency.
Gallery Label:
This sculpture was first exhibited as Indian on Horse at The Art Institute of Chicago in November 1912. The following month American Machinist Magazine reported on Griffoul foundry‘s casting of “an Indian on horseback” with artist unidentified. Fewer than 10 casts are thought to have been made by Griffoul of Medicine Whip, although the magazine article makes clear that a bronze model had been created anticipating a large production. Russell’s wife Nancy had initiated his production in 1905 at the Roman Bronze Works, but not until 1910-12 were multiple casts of three different subjects made there. Her switch to Griffoul in 1912 and then to the Zoppo foundry in 1916 indicates a search for either better quality, lower price or both.
From the exhibition:Frontier to Foundry: the Making of Small Bronze Sculpture in the Gilcrease Collection, December 2014 - March 2015.
Ann Boulton Young, Associate Conservator for the Gilcrease Museum, 2014.
Curatorial Remarks:
This bronze is the only sand cast sculpture by Russell in the Gilcrease collection. It may have been cast between 1912 and 1916. However, American Machinist Magazine reported in December 1912 that the Griffoul foundry had cast a bronze of "an Indian on horseback" so it was probably cast in 1912. It was cast in one piece, except for the base and the reins. The bottom is full of resin.
Information given by Ann Boulton Young, Associate Conservator for the Gilcrease Museum, 2018
Auguste Griffoul had operated a foundry in Paris where he made a cast of the Thinker for Auguste Rodin in 1896. By 1905 he had opened a foundry in Newark, NJ, reported to have been the last foundry in America using French sand. Apart from Medicine Whip, Griffoul cast at least one other subject for Charles M. Russell and also produced bronzes for Augustus Saint-Gaudens and James Earle Fraser.
From the exhibition:Frontier to Foundry: the Making of Small Bronze Sculpture in the Gilcrease Collection, December 2014 - March 2015.
Ann Boulton Young, Associate Conservator for the Gilcrease Museum, 2014.
Charles M. Russell Artworks in Gilcrease Collection
Renowned as an iconic figure in 20th century American art for his portrayals of the American West, Gilcrease Museum houses and displays masterworks from the prolific life of artist Charles M. Russell. Significant samplings of Charles M. Russell’s mature painting style is 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 paintings and sculptures in the museum’s permanent art collections, the museum archives is the proud home of the Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman). The research collection’s catalog of preparatory drawings, sketches, and illustrated letters adds to the depth and understanding of Charles M Russell’s life and artistic process.
