Carl Rungius (1869-1959)

Packhorses likely depicts a scene on Nigel Pass in present-day Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, the site of one of Carl Rungius' first forays deep into the backcountry in search of Bighorn Sheep, and an area of continual interest to the artist throughout his career. The painting exhibits Rungius' brilliant brushwork and mastery of compositional design, with the viewer being led nimbly into the scene from the lead horse, back through the string, to the rider just peaking over the hill.