Ep 5. Frederic Remington: the Truth of Other Days

In American Masters season 6 episode 5, titled Frederic Remington: the Truth of Other Days, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the life and art of celebrated American artist Frederic Remington. Through archival footage, interviews with scholars and art experts, and Remington's own personal diaries, we gain a deep understanding of the man behind the western imagery that has become synonymous with the American West.

The episode delves into Remington's childhood and early artistic aspirations, including his time studying art in France. Viewers are given a sense of the early influences that would shape Remington's style, such as the work of Charles Marion Russell, and the impact that his childhood spent exploring the frontier would have on his art.

One of the key focuses of the episode is the way in which Remington's art was intertwined with American perceptions of the West. As the United States expanded westward, the country became enamored with the idea of the frontier as a place of rugged individualism and triumph over adversity. Remington's art, with its depictions of cowboys, Native Americans, and frontier landscapes, played a significant role in shaping these perceptions.

However, as the episode explores, Remington's relationship with the West was complex and multifaceted. While his art celebrated the frontier, he was acutely aware of its violent and often destructive history. Remington's own journal entries reveal a more nuanced understanding of the West than his art might suggest. Through his writing, we see Remington grappling with questions of race, politics, and environmental conservation.

The episode also delves into Remington's personal life, including his marriage to his wife Eva and his relationship with his children. Viewers are given insight into the day-to-day life of the artist and his family, including the difficulties of balancing his artistic career with his responsibilities as a husband and father.

Throughout the episode, we see how Remington's art evolved over time, incorporating new techniques and styles as he sought to capture the spirit of the West. Despite his success, Remington remained humble and dedicated to his craft, as evidenced by his unwavering commitment to sketching live models in order to perfect his depictions of horses and other animals.

Overall, Frederic Remington: the Truth of Other Days is a fascinating exploration of one of America's greatest artists. Through a mixture of archival footage, personal writings, and expert analysis, viewers gain a deep understanding of both the impact of Remington's art on American culture and the man behind the images.