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William S. Hart (left) Charles M. Russell (right)
Among the collections on exhibit at the residence, the works of Charles M. Russell
warrant particular attention. Eighteen items, well representative of the career of the
famous Western artist from 1894-1918, are on display. The mediums include water
color, gouache, pencil, pen and ink, oil and clay (bronzes). Mr. Hart met Charlie
Russell in February, 1902, while playing in Great Falls, Montana, and it was the
beginning of a friendship that lasted until the.artist's death in 1926. Although Rus-
sell always considered himself an illustrator, he was able to step out of this role at
times and produce works that have value beyond that of the strictly pictorial. Perhaps
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their greatest value lies in their ability to preserve for us, as accurately as possible,
the essence of an era that has vanished.
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