The forceful shapes of two freshly killed Rocky Mountain elk dominate this stark composition. Even in death, their antlers, dramatically silhouetted against the white and blue snow, are locked, as if engaged in battle. Now, the elk share a common enemy, a fact Lawrence emphasized with bright blood seeping from both animals. Fur trapping and trading among Salish, Nez Perce, and Euro-American people in the Bitterroot Valley (in present-day Montana) intensified in the 1810s. Lawrence envisioned the vanquished prey as a metaphor for the land, material resources, and freedoms at stake in the War of 1812 and subsequent westward expansion. Like a few other panels in the Struggle series, the single-word title, Trappers, is apparently not linked to a specific historical textual source.
Questions & Answers
Is this Trappers painted by hand or printed?
Painted by hand: a trained painter copies Trappers in oil on linen canvas.
What size should I choose for Trappers?
The original measures 41 x 31 cm. Sizes run from 36.2 x 27.6 cm ($200) to 241.1 x 183.9 cm ($1640); the table on this page lists the main steps and their prices.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery takes 4 to 5 weeks, with free worldwide express shipping; an urgent production option is offered on this page. You can return it within 100 days for a full refund, with no condition.