Charles Deas (1818-1867) – The Death Struggle (1845Collections of the Shelburne Museum) part 2 American painters

The composition presents a dramatic and violent scene unfolding within a dense woodland setting. A man in vibrant red attire is depicted mid-struggle atop a rearing white horse. He grasps at a branch with his left arm, attempting to maintain balance as he wrestles with an individual clinging to his back. The figure on his back appears to be of Indigenous descent, indicated by the feathered headdress and darker skin tone.
The artist has rendered the scene with a strong emphasis on movement and chaos. The horse’s posture is dynamic, its hooves kicking out as it struggles against the riders control. Debris – leaves, twigs, and earth – are scattered around the base of the cliff face, further emphasizing the abruptness and force of the event. The man in red is positioned at a precarious angle, suggesting an imminent fall.
The color palette contributes to the intensity of the moment. The bright red of the man’s clothing stands out against the muted greens and browns of the forest, drawing immediate attention to him as the central figure. The white horse provides another stark contrast, highlighting its role in the struggle. Shadows are prevalent throughout the scene, creating a sense of foreboding and obscuring details within the dense foliage.
Beyond the literal depiction of physical conflict, subtexts relating to colonial encounters emerge. The positioning of the man in red as the dominant figure, despite being momentarily vulnerable, hints at an assertion of power and control. Conversely, the Indigenous individual’s desperate clinging suggests a resistance or attempt to disrupt that dominance. The setting itself – a wild, untamed landscape – implies a confrontation between civilization (represented by the mans attire) and nature/indigenous culture.
The artist’s choice to depict this struggle from a slightly elevated perspective allows for a broader view of the scene, emphasizing its scale and significance. It suggests that this is not merely an isolated incident but rather a symbolic representation of larger conflicts occurring within the landscape. The overall effect is one of heightened tension and unresolved conflict, leaving the viewer to contemplate the complex dynamics at play.