CARL WIMAR, "THE CAPTIVE CHARGER" 1854


an illustration


CARL WIMAR, "THE CAPTIVE CHARGER" 1854.

CARL WIMAR'S PORTRAIT OF SIOUX INDIANS IS BATHED IN THE ELEGIAC LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES THIS PASSING OF A RACE. A PARTY OF SIOUX, LEADING A HORSE CAPTURED FROM A MILITARY TROOP, ELUDES PURSUING SOLDIERS AS THEY SEEK REFUGE IN MARSHY GROUND. IN A SENSE THEY ARE SEEKING THE FATE THAT IS OVERTAKING THEM--DISAPPEARANCE. ONE RIDER LOOKS BACK AT THE PURSUERS WHO WILL ENVENTUALLY TRACK DOWN ALL HIS PEOPLE. THE TWILIGHT GLOW IS ONE OF SUNSET, SUNSET FOR THE PLAINS INDIANS, AS THE POSITION OF THE GIBBOUS MOON MAKES CLEAR. THAT WIMAR PAINTED THIS WORK IN A STUDIO IN DUSSELDORF GERMANY INDICATES THE DISTANCING OF THE SUBJECT INTO THE REALM OF IMAGINED MYTH.