September 15This is one of the reasons we chose to come to Great Falls! The sculpture above is at the entrance to the C.M. Russell Museum.
The museum has over 2000 Russell paintings, drawings, and illustrations as well as paintings by other Western artists, the Browning Firearms Exhibit, and the Bison Exhibit, which includes hundreds of Plains Indian artifacts.
The five galleries of Russell art is arranged so that you begin with his earliest drawings and sketches and progress throughout his career.
Illustrated letters make up one gallery and we loved these...not only were the letters interesting to read, but they each included several illustrations, many in color. How fun to have received a letter from him!
Charlie's home, built in 1903 is part of the museum complex and open for viewing. It is filled with period pieces, plus some Russell family items. 
Charlie's studio, built in 1903 of western red cedar telephone poles, is adjacent to his home and also open for viewing. It's filled with cowboy gear and Indian artifacts Charlie collected and used as he painted and sculpted.
No fair bout getting to go to the Russell Museum!I wish I could go!!! ;D Thats so awesome!! =D
ReplyDeleteOh, this is one of the best museums!! It's laid out chronologically, and has tons of illustrated letters, plus early sketches and paintings he did when he was young. Not a lot of sculptures, but a few.
ReplyDeleteThere's also artwork by a couple of other artists, including one who was a contemporary and friend of Russell's. But it's mostly just Charlie.
It also had a great gift shop...not too much junk and some nice books, but only one print made into postcards, which we thought was strange.
I still like the one in Helena, but this is different with different things.