Indian Scouts On The Edge Of A Bluff (after Frederic Remington)
Print or early lithographic reproduction on paper • Original composition by Frederic Remington; this specific piece is an aftermarket reproduction or print
Style & Movement
Western American Realism / Golden Age of Illustration
Medium & Technique
Lithography or color print on heavy cream paper; possibly an early 20th-century chromolithograph or plate-signed print
Creation Period
Early to mid-20th century (reproduction of a late 19th-century original)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 18 inches (sight); Landscape format
Subject Description
Four Indigenous American scouts on horseback viewed from behind, positioned on a dry, scrubby bluff overlooking a distant, hazy horizon. The figures wear traditional regalia, including eagle-feather war bonnets and carry bows and quivers, conveying a narrative of surveillance and territorial protection.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows significant signs of age and poor environmental storage
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a mass-marketed decorative print sold for home or library use during the early 20th-century height of Remington's popularity
Art Historical Significance
Represents the immense popularity of Frederic Remington in shaping the romanticized visual myth of the 'Old West.' While the original oil painting is highly significant, these prints served as the primary way the public consumed Western art in the early 1900s.
Notable Features
Includes Remington's characteristic 'plate-signed' signature in the lower left corner; the composition utilizes a low-angle horizon to emphasize the stature of the riders against the sky.
Condition Issues
Significant mat burn and yellowing around the edges due to acidic matting; visible moisture spotting or foxing in the sky area; paper undulation (waving) suggesting improper mounting; fading of pigments due to UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from current acidic mat and frame immediately. Remount using acid-free/archival materials. Use UV-protective glass and consider professional deacidification by a paper conservator if the value warrants it.