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Magnificent Framed “Thus Far and No Farther” Painting by Rick Reeves - The Hancock-Custer Expedition was a series of conflicts which took place between the United States Military, led by General Winfield S. Hancock and Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, against the Cheyenne
of Kansas and Colorado. The original intention Hancock’s expedition had been to negotiate relationships between the United States and the people of the Cheyenne and Sioux nations. Rather than negotiate the treaties and better relations, Hancock and Custer engaged in violent combat which worsened relations farther than they had ever been due to Hancock ordering that an abandoned native camp be burned. To the Native Americans, this brought back memories of the United States Army burning their villages In this painting,
Rick Reeves perfectly captures the palpable tension ready to snap and unleash a storm of chaotic combat between Custer’s iconic 7th Cavalry and the Cheyenne. The 7th Cavalry is seen in the foreground trying to anticipate the next move of their foe waiting across the picturesque snow covered field.
Several men in the middle of the group are loading their rifles in preparation for the imminent attack while the mounted cavalry appear to be informing Custer, who is the mounted focal point of the piece, of the situation on the soon to be battlefield. Across the field we see an army of Native American warriors in full war regalia ready to charge the United States forces. These scenes became a regular occurrence in the
lives of Native Americans for the duration of The Hancock Expedition, leading to an investigation into the actions of the government forces. The scene is signed in the lower left “RICK/ REEVES/1997”. The painting is housed in a gold painted floral bordered frame with a brass plaque marked “”THUS FAR AND NO FARTHER”/Rick Reeves”. The frame measures 39 1/2 inches x 49 1/2 inches.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with minimal storage and handling marks, a vibrant coloration, and crisp details on both the painting and the frame. This would make the perfect addition to any Indian Wars collection!
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000