Captain Lewis Meeting the Shoshones

Russell depicts the critical August 13, 1805 encounter when Meriwether Lewis first met the Shoshone people near Lemhi Pass. This meeting was pivotal to the expedition’s success, as the Shoshone horses were essential for crossing the Bitterroot Mountains. The painting captures the tension and hope of the moment, with Lewis approaching the mounted Shoshone warriors on the open prairie. Russell’s careful attention to Native dress and landscape reflects his deep familiarity with the Western frontier.